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SPORT-SCAN DAILY BRIEF NHL 7/21/2020 Anaheim Ducks 1188810 Two players test positive for coronavirus in first days of 1188840 Blue Jackets set to play first game since shutdown NHL training camp 1188841 Eric Robinson shines on otherwise tough day of Blue Jackets camp 1188842 Columbus Blue Jackets’ trip to comes at a cost for 1188811 Coyotes playoff veterans continue to supplement younger families core as Edmonton nears 1188843 Why Josh Anderson has joined the Blue Jackets (and 4 1188812 4 things we saw in Coyotes' first week of training camp other major observations) 1188813 Reports: Coyotes execs met with pending UFA Taylor Hall 1188814 Arizona Coyotes to host bottled water drive at Gila River Arena 1188844 Defensive improvement needed for Thomas Harley to 1188815 NHL releases COVID-19 testing data; 2 players test make NHL debut during Stars’ postseason run positive 1188845 How Stars prospects plan to spend down time during training camp, playoff run 1188846 Inside the Dallas Stars’ rite of passage: playing golf with 1188816 Five up, five down from the first week at Bruins summer prospects camp 1188817 Bruins’ Patrice Bergeron is a Selke Trophy finalist for the Detroit Red Wings ninth straight year 1188847 Two Detroit Red Wings from 1989 draft made history with 1188818 Silky smooth: Patrice Bergeron up for the Selke, again these NHL awards 1188819 NHL Awards 2020: Bruins' Patrice Bergeron a finalist for 1188848 Michigan hockey pioneer Real Turcotte helped develop Selke Trophy generations of NHL stars 1188820 Charlie McAvoy, Chris Wagner join Bruins missing from 1188849 Red Wings’ drafting position raises many questions, practice Monday possibilities 1188821 Don Sweeney on absence of Bruins' David Pastrnak, Ondrej Kase: 'Not ideal by any means' 1188822 Bruins scrimmage report: 8 observations as undermanned 1188850 Ennis is better fit for Edmonton Oilers with Draisaitl right squad tests itself now than Athanasiou 1188851 JONES: Chris Cuthbert ready to bring Edmonton's Hub City to hockey fans 1188823 Sabres captain Jack Eichel 'pretty happy' after leaving 1188852 Evan Bouchard’s AHL debut has him on track to become a social media No. 1 NHL defenceman Calgary Flames 1188824 Snapshots: Mangiapane adds himself to list of Flames 1188853 Florida Panthers’ bubble expectations and an encouraging camp standouts NHL COVID-19 testing update 1188825 Dube dominates Flames' first scrimmage with improved 1188854 Why Frank Vatrano is so important to the Florida mindset Panthers’ reshuffled postseason lines 1188826 Notes from Flames camp: A week’s worth of weirdness, news and even some hockey 1188855 Two players test positive for coronavirus in first days of NHL training camp 1188827 The Carolina Hurricanes have a new dilemma in reaching 1188856 REIGN RE-SIGN BRETT SUTTER the NHL playoffs. What a relief! 1188828 Hurricanes’ Rod Brind’Amour in no rush to decide lines or for NHL restart 1188857 Jordan Greenway's size and strength could be prominent for Wild in playoffs 1188858 Walt McKechnie: The North Star forward who made 1188829 3 takeaways from Chicago Blackhawks camp, including Haliburton home what makes the Patrick Kane-Dylan Strome-Alex Nylander 1188859 Russo: Key observations from first week of Wild Training lin Camp 2.0 1188830 Blackhawks’ Patrick Kane-Dylan Strome-Alex Nylander line dominating during camp Canadiens 1188831 Drake Caggiula 'would like to play until I'm 50 if I can' 1188860 Max Domi joins training camp 1188832 How Blackhawks' power play can factor into series against 1188861 Stu on Sports: Canadiens' Carey Price has a good Oilers strategy for Penguins 1188833 NHL releases COVID-19 testing results from first 5 days of 1188862 Max Domi joins Canadiens at training camp in Brossard training camp 1188863 Claude Julien lost his fourth-line security blanket, but he 1188834 2020 NHL Season Restart: Blackhawks opponents, might not need one schedule, format and odds 1188835 Patrick Kane: Winning Olympic gold medal for USA would be 'unbelievable' 1188864 Predators defenseman Roman Josi named Norris Trophy 1188836 Five observations from the Blackhawks’ scrimmages as finalist they prepare for Oilers Colorado Avalanche 1188837 Conor Timmins making case for Avalanche roster spot in Edmonton NHL bubble 1188838 One thing is clear: The Avalanche are no longer a one-line playoff team 1188839 Avalanche’s Nazem Kadri is a big fan of NHL’s relaxed dress code. “I love the idea. I Love it.” New York Islanders Tampa Bay Lightning 1188865 Boomer Esiason determined to turn Islanders 1188902 Lightning’s scrimmage simulation a ‘good first step' granddaughter into Rangers fan 1188903 Lightning’s Victor Hedman selected as finalist for Norris 1188866 Islanders enforcer Ross Johnston getting opportunity to Trophy show he belongs in playoff lineup 1188904 Lightning fans will help support the team from afar in 1188867 Isles' Josh Ho-Sang shows his musical side, streaming a weekend event song he wrote 1188868 NHL reports 2 positive COVID-19 tests in Phase 3 1188869 Why J-G Pageau, after a reset, might be the Islanders’ 1188905 The NHL’s looser dress code suits some Leafs more than X-factor in the playoffs others — here’s looking at you, Auston Matthews 1188906 Notes and observations from the midway of Leafs training camp 1188870 Rangers’ Brendan Lemieux suspended two games for 1188907 MMLR: Nick Robertson’s steep climb, flexible Sheldon controversial hit Keefe, youth on the rise(?) 1188871 Rangers rookie Ryan Lindgren opens up in wide-ranging interview Canucks 1188872 Boomer Esiason determined to turn Islanders 1188928 Ed Willes: The raw emotion of the 2011 Final granddaughter into Rangers fan still lingers 1188873 NHL suspends NY Rangers forward Brendan Lemieux for 1188929 Ben Kuzma: Myers big on sound body, mind for Canucks' first two games of qualifying round postseason push 1188874 Analyzing the benefits of playing Artemi Panarin and Mika 1188930 Dressed, scratched or on the bubble: Projecting the Zibanejad on separate lines Canucks’ playoff lineup 1188875 NHL reports 2 positive COVID-19 tests in Phase 3 1188876 Kaapo Kakko's strong play earns rookie a promotion, at Vegas Golden Knights least temporarily 1188908 Golden Knights go through game-situation scrimmage at practice 1188909 Golden Knights small favorite over Stars in round-robin 1188877 Jack McIhargey, a scout, former player, and assistant opener coach with Flyers, dies at 68 1188910 Golden Knights’ Max Pacioretty out, but not due to 1188878 Flyers center Sean Couturier among 3 finalists for Selke coronavirus Trophy 1188911 Golden Knights trying to simulate playoff action with live 1188879 Travis Sanheim and Phil Myers: The Flyers’ blossoming scrimmages No. 2 defensive pairing can face opponents’ No. 1 lines 1188912 Take Five: Observations from Golden Knights’ first week 1188880 Sean Couturier’s rise is the reason to think the Flyers can of training camp win the Stanley Cup 1188913 Living with Mark Stone, Peyton Krebs getting an assist 1188881 Flyers' Sean Couturier named a Selke Trophy finalist adjusting to Vegas 1188882 NHL schedule 2020: Flyers vs. Lightning round robin changed to Aug. 8, Bruins vs. Capitals moved to Aug. 9 1188883 NHL awards: Sean Couturier named 2019-20 Frank J. 1188914 Capitals defenseman John Carlson named Norris Trophy Selke Trophy finalist with Patrice Bergeron, Ryan O'Reilly finalist 1188884 Ten observations from the first week of Flyers training 1188915 Hockey in August isn’t even going to be the weirdest part camp 1188916 Capitals' Carlson named finalist for Norris Trophy 1188917 John Carlson named Norris finalist, but can he beat Pittsburgh Penguins Roman Josi? 1188885 ‘It’s all about winning’ for Evgeni Malkin and Penguins 1188918 2020 NHL restart: Capitals schedule, opponents, format 1188886 Patric Hornqvist, others resume practicing with Penguins and odds 1188887 Double Team: Marc-Andre Fleury gave hope to Penguins 1188919 Previously On: Capitals win 5th straight Metropolitan then Golden Knights Division title 1188888 Mark Madden: Matt Murray should start Game 1 but leash 1188920 Coaches' Roundtable: How Walter Payton got Ron Rivera should be short for Penguins goalie into coaching 1188889 Ex-Penguins Alexei Kovalev, Peter Skudra take over KHL 1188921 Coaches' Roundtable: Zoom calls, book clubs and happy teams hours part of coaching during a pandemic 1188890 Penguins players withheld as precaution against 1188922 Evgeny Kuznetsov has interesting explanation for Caps' coronavirus cleared to practice struggles 1188891 What’s going on with Penguins’ ? Mark 1188923 Five observations from Capitals training camp: Whose Madden has sources telling him what’s up. stock is on the rise? 1188892 Evgeni Malkin 'leading through example' with a quick start to training camp 1188893 Observations from Penguins scrimmage: Goalie battle continues, Patrick Marleau shows his value 1188894 Patric Hornqvist, eight other Penguins cleared to practice; Sidney Crosby still sidelined 1188895 Rested Evgeni Malkin looks dominant in training camp: ‘I’m ready’ 1188896 Murray vs. Jarry and the fascinating decision facing Mike Sullivan St Louis Blues 1188897 Blues notebook: Fans asked to participate in virtual cheering for playoffs 1188898 Blues gearing up for life in the NHL's 'bubble' 1188899 JT's Quarantine Chronicles: A cabbie, a cell phone, and a hard bargain 1188900 No love for Petro: He's not among Norris finalists, but O'Reilly is Selke finalist 1188901 With Week 1 in the books, what’s left for the Blues before heading to Edmonton? Websites 1188931 The Athletic / Down Goes Brown: Which team’s history can build the best 6-country lineup? 1188932 .ca / Philip Broberg has earned invitation to stay with Oilers this summer 1188933 Sportsnet.ca / Maple Leafs tease ‘all-star game line’ as their nuclear option 1188934 Sportsnet.ca / Flames' Dube, Mangiapane poised to be X-factors against Jets 1188935 Sportsnet.ca / Canadiens' Phillip Danault chasing perfection, Crosby and Malkin 1188936 Sportsnet.ca / Maple Leafs Notebook: One week into camp, Toronto is 'full speed ahead' 1188937 Sportsnet.ca / Bergeron, Couturier, O'Reilly named 2019-20 Selke Trophy finalists 1188938 Sportsnet.ca / Roman Josi, John Carlson, Victor Hedman named Norris Trophy finalists 1188939 Sportsnet.ca / NHL Training Camps Day 8: Max Domi makes Phase 3 debut with Canadiens 1188940 Sportsnet.ca / Canadiens' Max Domi back at practice, figures to be key piece vs. Penguins 1188941 Sportsnet.ca / Weekend Takeaways: Gaudreau returns to Flames' top line, McDavid gets quicker 1188942 TSN.CA / Sheldon Keefe continues to experiment with options around Auston Matthews Winnipeg Jets 1188924 Winnipeg confident in goalie, power play 1188925 Appleton most motivated Jet 1188926 Secrecy surrounding several absent NHLers leading to speculation 1188927 JETS SNAPSHOTS: Jets focus on power play and killing, two aspects of their game that improved dramatic

SPORT-SCAN, INC. 941-284-4129 1188810 Anaheim Ducks

Two players test positive for coronavirus in first days of NHL training camp

By HELENE ELLIOTT

JULY 20, 20203:41 PM

Two players tested positive for COVID-19 during the first five days of NHL training camp out of 2,618 tests administered to more than 800 players, the league said Monday in a statement.

Training camps opened last Monday for the 24 postseason-bound teams, representing Phase 3 of the league’s four-part Return to Play plan. Phase 4 is scheduled to begin on Aug. 1 and will consist of the top four teams in the East and the West playing round-robin, nonelimination games to determine playoff seeding, while the teams seeded fifth through 12th face each other in best-of-five series. All rounds after that will be best of seven.

Teams currently are training at their respective facilities now but they’re scheduled to report to their hub sites — Toronto for Eastern teams and Edmonton for Western teams — on Sunday. Games will be played without fans and all involved are expected to follow strict health guidelines and observe mandated safety precautions.

The NHL has issued sporadic reports on cumulative test results but it has not identified the players who have tested positive or their teams. In its statement Monday, the league said the two players who tested positive during the most recent period have self-isolated “and are following CDC and Health Canada protocols.”

It added, “During Phase 3, the NHL will continue to provide regular updates on the number of tests administered to Players and the results of those tests. The League will not be providing information on the identity of the Players or Clubs.”

The NHL, which traditionally has allowed teams to be vague about the extent of players’ injuries, has become even more secretive during its restart. The league has decreed that no injury or illness information will be made public, leaving teams to use the catch-all explanation “unfit to play” in relation to players who have missed workouts or scrimmages. Team personnel have been instructed not to comment, a route taken by Pittsburgh Penguins coach Mike Sullivan after team captain Sidney Crosby left a scrimmage on Saturday and missed sessions on Sunday and Monday. The Chicago Blackhawks have repeatedly said goaltender Corey Crawford is unfit to play, without further explanation, and the Boston Bruins categorized nine players as unfit to participate last Saturday.

Also on Monday, the NHL announced the finalists for two major individual trophies, both of which are voted upon by members of the Professional Hockey Writers’ Assn. The winners will be announced during the conference finals.

Washington’s John Carlson, Tampa Bay’s Victor Hedman and Nashville’s Roman Josi are the finalists for the Norris Trophy, awarded annually to the best defenseman. Hedman won the Norris in 2017-18.

The finalists for the Selke Trophy, presented to the best defensive forward, are Boston center Patrice Bergeron, Philadelphia Flyers center Sean Couturier and St. Louis Blues center Ryan O’Reilly. Bergeron is a finalist for an unprecedented ninth consecutive season and has won four times. O’Reilly won the Selke last season before leading the Blues to the Stanley Cup championship.

LA Times: LOADED: 07.21.2020 1188811 Arizona Coyotes Arizona Republic LOADED: 07.21.2020

Coyotes playoff veterans continue to supplement younger core as Edmonton nears

Jack Williams

For a team that hasn't seen playoff ice for almost a decade, the Coyotes have a handful of players who have spent some time in the post season, and have even hoisted the cup above their heads.

Thirteen players on the current roster have played in the playoffs prior to their time with the Coyotes, Oliver Ekman-Larsson being the only player to have played in the postseason with the Coyotes in 2012. In addition, six members have won the Stanley Cup.

"We've got some guys who've won some hardware here and they know the routine and what it takes," coach Rick Tocchet said. "They're talking to the young players on what to expect. It's a whole different pace this season in the playoffs. As a young guy, you have to realize that there is another level of commitment. When it comes to playoffs, there's not a lot of room and you've got to fight for your space."

One of the most playoff decorated members defenseman , who won three Stanley Cups with Chicago from 2010 to 2015, has not only helped his teammates get to a faster pace in the short window before the playoffs, but is working on getting his own game up to speed. Hjalmarsson said he's focused more on what is happening now.

"Right now it's just a matter of finding your skating and handling the puck," Hjalmarsson said. "We're getting more into the five-on-five aspect now and I feel like when we get on that plane to Edmonton that's when you start to narrow things down and focus on Nashville."

Hjalmarsson is looking to keep a level head, focused on getting back to where he was before the pause during these training camps. It's not just Hjalmarsson that is focused on their own game right now before sharing playoff wisdom, as even the younger members have picked up on the focused mindset of the veterans.

"It's a different scenario and we're all kind of worried about what is on our own plate," forward Lawson Crouse said. "We're getting to that point where we're getting into a really solid groove. I think we're all looking forward to that moment to where we can talk to some of those guys who've been to the cup final, but as of right now we're taking it one day at a time."

In the same breath, Hjalmarsson knows from experience what kind of team he'll be facing in the playoffs in Nashville. Hjalmarsson went 2-1 against the Predators in the playoffs during his time with the Blackhawks and is expecting a similar style of active defense when the Coyotes face the Predators in two weeks.

"They always have one the the defensemen coming up and attacking," Hjalmarsson said. "That's always a dangerous aspect when you have the defensemen following up. They're a great offensive team, but at the same time, they have a good defensive structure too. They have a really good team and we have to prepare as good as we can to challenge them."

After a week of practice in the book, Tocchet said that he has seen the veterans start to instill a mentality of fighting for their spot on the ice. Not impressed by the team's first scrimmage last Thursday, he said that he has seen improvement in the team's play in game like situations and has had veterans ask for more challenging drills.

"I didn't like out first scrimmage at all and I talked to a couple of your veteran players and they took care of it," Tocchet said. "The next practice we had was really sharp. The other day a couple of veteran guys came up and ask for more D-zone coverage drills. Usually players want flow drills and D-Zone coverage drills are monotonous and hard. That want to own their own stuff too and they're doing a nice job of that."

As Tocchet has preached for his team to adjust quickly to the turnaround, the team seems to be moving at a steady pace with Edmonton closing in. Coyotes will play their first game since March against Vegas in exhibition play July 30 and will have to make the quick transition to the play-in series against Nashville three days later. 1188812 Arizona Coyotes Predators was back on Oct. 17 in a 5-2 win in Glendale. Raanta made 23 of 25 saves for a .920 save percentage.

In finding the best keeper, Nashville is having the same thing happening 4 things we saw in Coyotes' first week of training camp as Juuse Saros continues to challenge longtime starter Pekka Rinne for the spot in net. Time will tell who will be in net for either team on Aug. 2.

Urgency to be ready for Edmonton Jack Williams The Coyotes held their first scrimmage on Thursday, seeing the red team defeat the white team, 3-1, over the course of 20 minutes of play. Following the practice, Tocchet said he saw the team still had rust and After a week of full team training camp, the Arizona Coyotes are one step the pace was slower than he thought it would be. closer to its play-in series against Nashville in a little less than two weeks. In playing as a whole team for the first time in four months, there Tocchet said the team needs to move from 0-100 quicker than usual, as were highs and lows in the team's first week back together. they will make the transition from not playing in four months to playoff hockey. Players expressed that the biggest adjustment is just playing With only one more week of training camp left until the team is expected with more guys and having more contact than there was in Phase 1 and to report to Edmonton, here are four things we saw in the Coyotes' first 2. week back on the ice. It'll be interesting to see how the pace of play moves in the play-in games Early Emphasis on forechecking and playoffs as every team in the league has had to make the quick Head coach Rick Tocchet is well aware the Predators bring an turnaround. Unlike the regular season, players don't have comfort of aggressive style of offense to the ice, and they waste no time putting it easing into training camp and regular season play. The pace picks up into action. when there are only two weeks to prepare for play.

In the last showdown between the two teams, in a 3-2 Coyotes loss in Defenseman Jason Demers said he thinks if the team can take Nashville on Dec. 23, Arizona got burned early as they would suffice 30 advantage of communicating on the ice, especially in an environment shots by the midway point of the second period. While the Coyotes were with no fans, they will be able to make the adjustment quicker. Other able to bounce back, the Predators aggressive forecheck set the team players have also expressed the need for the team to talk more on the back early. ice.

In practices as early as Tuesday and most recent as Sunday, combating The Coyotes will practice for one more week at Gila River Arena before the Predators' forecheck remained the main theme throughout. Players heading off to Edmonton on July 26. Arizona will play an exhibition game have not taken it easy on each other in drills where pressure is applied in on July 30 against Vegas. Arizona will act as the away team in their best sparking offensive opportunities. of five play in series against Nashville, which begins 11 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 2 at Rogers Place in Edmonton. Even a team who hasn't had playoff experience in almost a decade, players have stressed the importance of getting on the Predators early. Arizona Republic LOADED: 07.21.2020 Nashville averaged 33 shots per game, which is the fifth best mark in the NHL this past season.

Improving the power play

There were a lot of inconsistencies on the Coyotes' power play unit throughout the regular season. While the team was able to finish in the top 15 in the power play percentage by the end of the regular season, they were near the bottom in power play efficiency in late January.

The team sees the restart as a second chance to clean up the power play and find consistency in this second half of the season. Tocchet said that forward Phil Kessel really added a spark to the unit when he arrived to Arizona. His stats on the power play in Pittsburgh were some of the best in the league.

Forward Derek Stepan, who has played in 97 playoff games, expressed that this could be something the Coyotes could capitalize on and run with, if the unit can catch fire in the playoffs. Stepan said every team's stats reset from the regular season when the playoffs begin.

At the same time, Nashville is looking for special unit redemption from the regular season as well. The Predators penalty killing unit was in the bottom three at the pause, but has seen improvement after former head coach Peter Laviolette was fired.

Goaltending battle continues

Tocchet and other players expressed that one of the team's strengths is their goaltending. Nothing has really changed on that front from the regular season as Darcy Kuemper and Antti Raanta continue to battle for the starting spot.

At the pause, Kuemper was riding high with the seventh best save percentage in the league at .928, however, Raanta was not far behind as he had the 14th best save percentage in the league at .921. The pair is the highest ranking goaltending pair save percentage wise, narrowly beating out Anton Khudobin and Ben Bishop in Dallas.

In training camp, both have pulled out impressive stops in scrimmages and drills alike. In the scrimmage, Kuemper narrowly missed a shutout bid, with his team winning 3-1 in one period of play.

Looking towards Nashville, Raanta was the man in net the last time the two faced off in December. Despite the loss, he made 38 of 41 saves for a .927 save percentage on the night. The last time Kuemper faced the 1188813 Arizona Coyotes

Reports: Coyotes execs met with pending UFA Taylor Hall

BY MATT LAYMAN

JULY 20, 2020 AT 3:37 PM

Free agent-to-be Taylor Hall had a dinner meeting last week with Coyotes owner Alex Meruelo, his son Alex Jr., and new CEO Xavier Gutierrez, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported Monday.

Friedman was furthering a report from The Athletic’s Craig Custance, who said the sides had re-engaged in contract talks and that Gutierrez had taken over negotiations.

Hall is undoubtedly one of the top free agents in the upcoming class and would command top dollar, given that he has a Hart Trophy and four All- Star appearances under his belt. The former first overall pick from 2010 was dealt to the Coyotes back in December in a midseason trade that sent prospects and draft picks to the New Jersey Devils.

According to multiple reports, Hall’s agent, Darren Ferris, reiterated that the two sides still intend to wait until the season’s over to negotiate a contract, as has been stated previously.

The Coyotes have a postseason series against the Nashville Predators on Aug. 2.

“I’ve had a great time playing with the Coyotes and meeting everyone here and talking to [GM] John [Chayka] and [head coach] Rick [Tocchet] and the coaching staff,” Hall told NBC Sports’ in May. “I think we have a great relationship.

“So there’s still time to have those talks and I think we have a really good relationship on both sides so we’ll see where it goes.”

Hall appeared in 35 games for Arizona during this regular season and scored 10 goals with 17 assists. He’s currently on the final year of a contract that has a $6 million per year salary, according to CapFriendly.

Arizona Sports LOADED: 07.21.2020 1188814 Arizona Coyotes

Arizona Coyotes to host bottled water drive at Gila River Arena

BY MATT LAYMAN

JULY 20, 2020 AT 1:34 PM

The Arizona Coyotes announced Monday they will be hosting a bottled water drive at Gila River Arena on July 27 from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m.

The cases of water will go to Hope for Hunger Phoenix Rescue Mission.

“We have been experiencing some incredibly high temperatures in the Valley the past month and many people are in desperate need for water to survive the heat,” Coyotes president and CEO Xavier Gutierrez said in a press release. “We are proud to partner with Pepsi and Glendale Fire Fighters Charities on this important water drive to provide essential hydration to those in need.”

Pepsi will begin the drive with a donation of 500 cases of bottled water.

The drive will take place on the Westgate Plaza in front of Gila River Arena in Glendale. Fans can drive up on Coyotes Boulevard and remain in their cars. Fans are asked to wear a mask while driving through. Traffic will enter on the west side and exit on the east side.

Everyone who donates a case of water at the drive on July 27 will get a Coyotes-branded mask and car magnet.

If fans can’t visit the Westgate location, donations will be accepted at any Glendale fire station from July 27 to Aug. 2. You can also donate online here.

Fire Station Dropoff Locations:

Station 151: 6851 N 52nd Ave

Station 152: 6850 W Bethany Home Rd

Station 153: 14061 N 59th Ave

Station 154: 4439 W. Peoria

Station 155: 6255 W Union Hills Dr

Station 156: 6801 W Deer Valley Rd

Station 157: 9658 N 59th Ave

Station 158: 6261 N 83rd Ave

Station 159: 17159 N 63rd Ave

Arizona Sports LOADED: 07.21.2020 1188815 Arizona Coyotes

NHL releases COVID-19 testing data; 2 players test positive

BY MATT LAYMAN

JULY 20, 2020 AT 11:37 AM

The NHL announced seemingly encouraging test results on Monday that showed only two positive cases out of more than 800 players tested since the league began formal training camps.

As part of what the league is calling Phase 3, teams have congregated at home arenas for training camp ahead of a 24-team restart that will take place in two hub cities: Edmonton, Alta., and Toronto, Ont. A statement from the NHL said that in the first five days of phase three (July 13-17), there were 2,618 tests administered to over 800 players. There were two positive results.

“Both players who tested positive have self-isolated and are following CDC and Health Canada protocols,” the statement said.

The NHL hasn’t been releasing the identity of the players who test positive or the teams they play for.

In training camp, when a player hasn’t been able to practice for any reason, that player is designated as “unfit to practice.” That has added ambiguity to a player’s absence and made it harder for the public to deduce which players may have coronavirus or COVID-like symptoms.

The Coyotes are expected to fly to Edmonton on July 26 and play an exhibition game on July 30. Their first game in the 24-team postseason tournament is against the Nashville Predators on Aug. 2.

Arizona Sports LOADED: 07.21.2020 1188816 Boston Bruins bona fide second-line right wing are left wanting. Too many plays die on his stick.

GLOBE STAFF Dan Vladar, G: Bad spot for a goalie, seeing loads of Five up, five down from the first week at Bruins summer camp rubber after a four-month layoff. It is particularly tough for a 22-year-old used to seeing AHL shooters. Neither Vladar nor Max Lagace looked NHL-caliber in the first week. The third-string job will be wide-open next season. By Matt Porter Globe Staff,Updated July 20, 2020, 7:50 p.m. John Moore, D: The veteran has the respect of his teammates and

coaching staff. But may not spend the end of his contract, which pays Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy likes to tinker with his lineup, but not under him $2.75 million a year through 2023, on this roster. Jeremy Lauzon has these terms. a lock on the third-pair right-side spot, and Connor Clifton is cheaper ($1m) and a natural righty. Moore is working hard. “He never pouts,” The comings and goings of last week are expected to continue for the Cassidy said. “Terrific teammate, terrific person.” Bruins, who have been missing several key players daily at practices. It has been hard to Cassidy to decide who’s playing with David Krejci on Checking in the second line, where newcomers Ondrej Kase and Nick Ritchie fit in, or DeBrusk said he has checked in on his pal, Pastrnak. which kids could make a push for playing time. “He seems to be in good spirits,” he said. “Obviously, it’s not the ideal “None yet, really, to be honest with you,” he said Monday, when asked situation. But from when I’ve talked to him, he’s still Pasta. He’s still doing what questions have been answered in the first week of camp. “Clearly his thing. I’m not worried about him at all.” there’s some guys that when they get back to our team, they’re going to go in the lineup.” But the Bruins’ leading scorer was still missing, as was Kase, Chris Wagner, and Anton Blidh. Here are five players who have made an upward move in the first week: Addition to the ‘unfits’ Brandon Carlo has had a good stretch as of late. Add McAvoy to the ranks of the “unfit to participate.” Brandon Carlo has had a good stretch as of late.JOHN TLUMACKI/ McAvoy had been present since camp opened last Monday. Wagner and GLOBE STAFF Brandon Carlo, D: Charlie McAvoy’s game is more Blidh have missed a day each. Pastrnak and Kase have been available complete, but Carlo has been the best defenseman so far. He erases to practice one day each. plays with his size (6 feet 5 inches, 224, up 5 pounds from March), stick and mobility. He seems to have cut most of the jitters from his game, “There’s different reasons,” Cassidy said. “The obvious one is injury. showing a more looming presence in the D zone and increased puck When it comes to the COVID aspect of it, you’re seeing tests that don’t control and rush ability. He is becoming a foundational piece. come back on time, tests that are inconclusive. We’re being cautious. A lot of that has factored into what’s happened recently.” Anders Bjork, RW: Scratched before the Bruins paused in March, he gained strength and confidence over the break and started hot. Didn’t With McAvoy out, Jakub Zboril and Urho Vaakanainen split reps as stand out as much as the week went on, since other players caught up, Zdeno Chara’s partner. Zach Senyshyn took Wagner’s place at fourth- but maintained his level of play. Expected to vie for the third-line right line right wing. None of those youngsters is a threat to crack the lineup. wing spot, but has been playing first line all camp with Pastrnak’s absence. Can he spark the third line? Comeback kids

Matt Grzelcyk, D: His best attributes — fast hands, tight turns — have Good news: six of the nine regulars who were missing during Saturday’s shown up early in camp. No longer a kid (26), the Bruins are pleased that practice were back Monday. Forwards Krejci, Kuraly, Coyle, and Ritchie, he has been the rock of the third pair. “He’s become one of those guys defenseman Krug, and goalie Tuukka Rask (hand injury) returned to you don’t have to worry a lot about,” said Cassidy, who made him a one- action. game healthy scratch in January. “He’s always well-prepared. It’s just Still, they look like a different team, particularly at the offensive end, little things here and there. Kudos to him for being a great pro.” Grzelcyk without Pastrnak. made one of the highlight plays of Monday’s scrimmage, when he gave Ritchie a doorstep tap-in with a Torey Krug-like cross-seam pass through “Is it ideal? No,” said his linemate, Patrice Bergeron. “That being said, traffic. me, Pasta and [Brad Marchand] have been playing together for a while now. Every time we’re put back on a line together, we’re finding the Jake DeBrusk, LW: His young legs will be needed in Toronto. In shape chemistry pretty quickly. It seems pretty seamless every time. and moving well. Coaches have had to push him, taking him off first PP unit and dropping him to third line before the pause. Enjoying life again Schedule updates with Krejci, though they have had a rotating cast of RWs. Like Grzelcyk and Bjork, strong showing in the playoffs will help his restricted free The NHL flipped a pair of Eastern Conference round-robin games. The agent case. “His upside is tremendous,” Cassidy said. “Pleased with his Bruins will now play the Capitals on Sunday, Aug. 9, and the Lighting- effort so far.” Flyers game was moved to Saturday, Aug. 8 … Because of their lineup holes, the Bruins still haven’t done special-teams work. That may come Sean Kuraly, RW: Slots in best as a fourth-line, left-shot center, and has this week, depending on who’s available, and will certainly be a part of played a bit of left wing. The Bruins are light on right wings, and believe Toronto practices before the July 30 scrimmage against Columbus … Kuraly’s wheels and tenacity could be a fit on the third line with Charlie Sunday, unless practices are light this week, will be Black and Gold Coyle and Ritchie. Game action will dictate if he can get comfortable getaway day, with no practice. handling hot passes on his backhand, playing his opposite wing. He seems willing to create more offense as a third-liner, though his upside, Boston Globe LOADED: 07.21.2020 as it were, is limited.

And five who need to step up:

Ondrej Kase, RW: He and Krejci haven’t spent a second together this month. Has the kind of creativity and quickness the slippery Krejci could maximize. It remains a theory.

Nick Ritchie, LW: Still learning what to do in the Bruins system, which makes his lack of foot speed stick out. Can be effective as a big body in front, but the Bruins don’t need another David Backes. Coyle has broad shoulders, but he needs some help.

Karson Kuhlman, RW: One of the quickest Bruins. Plenty of zip on his shot. No fear on the forecheck. But those wanting to declare Kuhlman a 1188817 Boston Bruins

Bruins’ Patrice Bergeron is a Selke Trophy finalist for the ninth straight year

By Matt Porter Globe Staff,Updated July 20, 2020, 1:24 p.m.

Eventually, they might rename it the Patrice Bergeron Award.

Another year, another Selke Trophy nomination for the longtime Bruins center, who was one of three finalists voted on by the Professional Hockey Writers Association and announced by the NHL Monday.

The winner of the Selke, which recognizes the best defensive forward in the league, will be revealed during the conference finals.

Philadelphia center Sean Couturier and St. Louis center Ryan O’Reilly are the other two finalists. It’s wait ‘til next year for young bucks such as Anthony Cirelli of Tampa Bay, who by some advanced metrics was the most effective defensive forward in the league.

No contender has a reputation as golden as Bergeron’s. He was named a finalist for the ninth year in a row, extending his own NHL record. Pavel Datsyuk, Jere Lehtinen, and Guy Carbonneau were six-time finalists, and only Datsyuk earned all of his nods in consecutive years.

“It’s always a great recognition,” said Bergeron, who admired Carbonneau, the former Canadien, while growing up in Quebec City. “You also have to keep in mind it is a team sport. I wouldn’t be here without the help of my teammates. It’s the same thing every year.”

If Bergeron were to win this season, he would set a record with five Selkes. He is currently one of two four-time winners. Montreal’s Bob Gainey took home the first four Selkes that were awarded, from 1978-81.

Bergeron owns the Corsi era, in which defensive play is studied in much greater detail than even Datsyuk’s time. Hand-held, high-definition video is available on the bench during play, and analytics go far beyond plus/minus and faceoff percentage.

Bergeron was ninth among forwards this season with a plus-23, and his 57.9 percent success at the dot led all centers with more than 1,000 drops taken.

No first-line center in the league was on the ice for fewer goals against (27). Among forwards who played 700 minutes, Bergeron had the fifth- best expected goals against rate (22.86), meaning the Bruins gave up very few good shots when he was on the ice.

If you’re a regular Bruins watcher, you have long known this to be true.

While contributing plenty of offense (31-25—56 in 61 games this season), Bergeron is a maestro between Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak, lifting sticks, blocking passes, and sealing walls so his high- octane linemates stay on the attack. He is rarely out of position, turning the wrong way, or caught with his stick in the wrong spot.

The Bruins led the league in goals against (2.39 per game) and, with Bergeron as the third most-used forward on the penalty kill, ranked third in the league there (84.3 percent).

Bergeron, who turns 35 Friday, keeps rising above. Any promising young player is told he can’t make it to the NHL without being able to defend. Bergeron said his coach in junior, Real Paiement of Acadie-Bathurst in the Quebec Major Junior League, was the first to drill home that message.

“Even now, I’m still trying to learn and better my game,” he said. “It’s a work in progress.”

Matt Porter

Boston Globe LOADED: 07.21.2020 1188818 Boston Bruins go. Obviously, we’d love to get them all back on time and all negative. Doesn’t always happen that way.”

Coaches are used to dealing with absences for injuries, but now they’re Silky smooth: Patrice Bergeron up for the Selke, again dealing with curveballs on a daily basis.

“We’re basically going into every day with two practice plans,” said Cassidy, one for a larger group and another for a smaller contingent. By STEVE CONROY | PUBLISHED: July 20, 2020 at 5:21 p.m. | UPDATED: July 20, 2020 at 7:16 p.m. Waiting game

While there’s little doubt that Pastrnak will take his place on the first line when he’s ready, Cassidy said there are still some things to sort out in Patrice Bergeron may not be the first over the boards when the Bruins’ his lineup. Missed time presents a bigger challenge for Kase than it does go to the penalty kill, as coach Bruce Cassidy utilizes Bergeron’s line with Pastrnak. Brad Marchand and David Pastrnak more and more in offensive situations. He’d be crazy not to. “Clearly there are some guys when they get back to our team are going to go into the lineup. But we’ve also said there are some battles,” said But Bergeron is still considered one of the best defensive forwards in the Cassidy. “Ritchie and Kase came in late (from Anaheim), so they were game, and he was recognized as such on Monday when he was named still finding their way. I would put them in the category of ‘yeah, we know a finalist for the Selke Award for a record ninth consecutive time. He’s got they can play in the league, but where do they best fit and do they make stiff competition in fellow finalists Sean Couturier of the Flyers and Ryan us a better team than, say, Bjork and (Karson) Kuhlman, who were out O’Reilly of the Blues. (of the lineup before the pause). Those are some things we’d look at. I’d assume they would be better. They’re more experienced and have a Currently tied with Montreal Canadien legend Bob Gainey with four wins, track record, but at the end of the day, we’re going to go with the 12 best a fifth would give Bergeron the record. forwards that help us win. Some of that will be dictated by who’s the most Though he’ll turn 35 on Friday, Bergeron said his game is still very much prepared to play, who’s practiced, who can get up to speed the quickest a work in progress. But he credited in particular his junior coach with without being around the team.” Acadie-Bathurst, Real Paiement, who made him see the importance in Schedule change developing his two-way game. The Bruins’ round-robin game against the Washington Capitals originally “In juniors, my coach then made me realize that I couldn’t make it to the scheduled for Aug. 8 has been moved to Aug. 9. next level with only my offense. I needed to also work on faceoffs and he actually put me on the wing for a period of time to learn how to play on Boston Herald LOADED: 07.21.2020 the right wing and have more options. He basically told me I wasn’t going to make it if I didn’t explore other things on the offensive side … but also on the defensive side to get better and I couldn’t just rely on one thing to make it to the next level,” said Bergeron. “Once I got to Boston, my coaches have helped me a lot, whether it was Mike Sullivan early on, Claude (Julien) when he came in he really worked on my defensive side of things. The players I’ve played with, teammates. You try to take some things away from different guys, some tendencies of guys around the league and make them your own and get better that way.”

Bergeron still gets his PK time and is as diligent as ever on the backcheck. But Bergeron centers one of the most explosive lines in the NHL. For the past five days, it has been missing its right wing, the Rocket Richard Trophy co-winner Pastrnak. He remained in quarantine after coming in contact with someone who contracted the coronavirus. Anders Bjork has been filling in for Pastrnak. Time’s a wasting, as the B’s will be leaving for the hub city of Toronto on Sunday, but Bergeron believes his line will be fine.

“I don’t think there’s concern there,” said Bergeron. “I think right now what we’re trying to get out of practice is rhythm, getting your hands back, individually but also collectively with the system and all the positioning and having a feel of having 5-on-5 scrimmages back again. It’s been a while for that. As far as chemistry, is it ideal? No, it’s not. But that being said, me, Pasta and March have been playing together for a while now. And it seems like every time we’re put back on a line together, we’re finding the chemistry pretty quickly. It seems pretty seamless every time. We’re hoping to rely on that when Pasta comes back, hopefully it’s sooner rather than later, and go from there.”

Back to work

While the B’s got back most of the players who had missed practice on Saturday, Charlie McAvoy was added to the “unfit to participate” list while Chris Wagner missed his second straight practice. Tuukka Rask, David Krejci, Torey Krug, Nick Ritchie, Charlie Coyle and Sean Kuraly all returned to practice after being absent on Saturday. Ondrej Kase, along with Pastrnak, has been out since last Wednesday. The NHL announced Monday it had just two positive results from the 2,618 tests conducted July 13-17.

“As you’re starting to see, there’s different reasons for that. The obvious one is injury and when it comes to the COVID aspect of it, you’re seeing tests that don’t come back on time and you’re seeing tests that are inconclusive,” said Cassidy. “So we’re being cautious. So a lot of that is factored into what’s happened recently. At the end of the day, we go to work with the guys whose tests results come back negative and off we 1188819 Boston Bruins

NHL Awards 2020: Bruins' Patrice Bergeron a finalist for Selke Trophy

By Nick Goss July 20, 2020 12:09 PM

Patrice Bergeron is a finalist for the Frank J. Selke Trophy.

We saw that coming in October, right?

The Boston Bruins center was officially named a finalist Monday for a record ninth time. A fifth Selke Trophy for Bergeron would give him the most in NHL history. He's currently tied with Montreal Canadiens legend Bob Gainey at four wins.

The award is given annually to “the forward who best excels in the defensive aspects of the game.”

St. Louis Blues center Ryan O'Reilly, who won the award last season, also was named a finalist. Philadelphia Flyers center Sean Couturier is the other finalist. O'Reilly is hoping to be the first back-to-back Selke winner since Bergeron accomplished the feat in 2013-14 and 2014-15.

Tuukka Rask named a finalist for

Bergeron scored 31 goals with 25 assists in 61 regular season games. He also won 57.9 percent of his faceoffs, excelled on the penalty kill, consistently defended the opposing team's top line at a high level and helped the Bruins dominate puck possession by controlling 56.3 percent of 5-on-5 shot attempts when he was on the ice.

All three players are very deserving of this award. Couturier has been knocking at the door for a few years now, so it wouldn't be surprising if he finally broke through and won. That said, Bergeron was arguably the most valuable player on a Bruins team that dominated the regular season as Presidents' Trophy winners.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 07.21.2020 1188820 Boston Bruins Tuukka Rask Jaroslav Halak

Dan Vladar Charlie McAvoy, Chris Wagner join Bruins missing from practice Monday Maxime Lagace

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 07.21.2020 By Joe Haggerty July 20, 2020 12:22 PM

BRIGHTON, Mass. — The Bruins were back to work with a bigger group on Monday morning at Warrior Ice Arena, but there were still a few notable absences for the Black and Gold.

Both David Pastrnak and Ondrej Kase continue to be absent and “unfit to participate” as they have been throughout Return to Play camp, and fourth line winger Chris Wagner missed his second straight day after not being available on Saturday as well.

Charlie McAvoy missed his first day of practice as well on Monday after being a regular participant in the first week of camp.

“As you’re starting to see, there are different reasons for that,” said Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy, when asked about the reasons behind the player absences at practice, which are not due to injury . “Tests that don’t come back on time and tests that are inconclusive, so we’re being cautious. At the end of the day we go to work with the guys that have tested negative and off we go.

“We go into every day with two practice plans depending on how many players we have. Typically when players come back in August [training for a new season] they’re playing together 5-on-5 with guys on other teams when they’re working out together, and guys didn’t have that [over the last four months]. I’d like to have everyone on the ice at the same time for continuity purposes, but we’ll adapt.”

Sweeney on practicing without Pastrnak, Kase: 'Not ideal'

The good news: Tuukka Rask, Torey Krug, David Krejci, Nick Ritchie, Sean Kuraly and Charlie Coyle were all back on the ice and skating after they were held off for Saturday’s planned afternoon scrimmage. Cassidy said he believed all of those players, along with Joakim Nordstrom, skated in a small group at Warrior Arena while the other players had the day off from camp.

Coyle’s agent, Bob Norton, told NBC Sports Boston over the weekend that his client was held out of practice “in an abundance of caution” after an inconclusive test result last week, but that he had since tested negative.

The Bruins did some scrimmage work and some conditioning work on Monday with John Moore and Ritchie scoring goals during the game action. Cassidy did some mixing and matching with the lines and D- pairings throughout the scrimmage while doing things on the fly as players pop in and out of the practice group.

Here are the line combos and D-pairings with Anders Bjork and Karson Kuhlman continuing to fill the top-6 right wing spots vacated by Pastrnak and Kase:

FORWARD LINES

Brad Marchand Patrice Bergeron Anders Bjork

Jake DeBrusk David Krejci Karson Kuhlman

Sean Kuraly Charlie Coyle Nick Ritchie

Joakim Nordstrom Par Lindholm Zach Senyshyn

Trent Frederic Jack Studnicka Paul Carey

DEFENSIVE PAIRINGS

Zdeno Chara Jakub Zboril

Torey Krug Brandon Carlo

Matt Grzelcyk Jeremy Lauzon

John Moore Connor Clifton

Urho Vaakanainen

GOALTENDERS 1188821 Boston Bruins Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 07.21.2020

Don Sweeney on absence of Bruins' David Pastrnak, Ondrej Kase: 'Not ideal by any means'

By Joe Haggerty July 20, 2020 10:45 AM

BRIGHTON, Mass. — Practice was underway on Monday morning with a much bigger group of Bruins than it was over the weekend with most of the seven missing “unfit to participate” players from Saturday back with the full group.

But David Pastrnak and Ondrej Kase were once again missing while still in the “unfit to participate” category with Pastrnak still in quarantine despite a negative COVID-19 test, and Kase’s status unconfirmed at this point.

The bottom line for the Bruins is that their top two right wings have missed the first week of Return to Play camp, and it’s still undetermined when either of them will return to practice.

That means young players like Anders Bjork, Jack Studnicka and Karson Kuhlman have been getting reps on the right side for all of training camp, and the Bruins have essentially had to function without both of their top-6 right wings while getting back up to full speed. While Bruins GM Don Sweeney didn’t sound upset or frustrated at the way things have played out for his team, he also readily admitted that it is clearly less than ideal.

“Any player that misses a day here [or there] it’s not a big deal. But when you start missing weeks on end — which we will end up having a couple of players in that category — you certainly have rust as a problem,” said Don Sweeney. “We do have some players that were skating quite a bit leading up to Phase 3, but the timing more than anything, the continuity of your linemates and the situations you have to work through as you go through practice, you’re hopefully going to have to get them up to full speed when you do have them back. And it’s in a shorter period of time.

It’s not ideal by any means, but it’s just what you have to deal with going forward. I think every team is probably going to have to face it at some point in time unless they’re incredibly fortunate. And good for them. We’re not in that situation and I can’t change that. All we can do is worry about the plan with what we have.

Sweeney said that both players were within their rights in Phase 2 to be working out at local rinks up until Monday of last week — as they were according to multiple witnesses — and that wasn’t something the Bruins were going to second-guess.

The big second guess with both Pastrnak and Kase is that they didn’t show up earlier from the to get through the necessary quarantine protocol that would have allowed them to begin practicing with the Bruins at the beginning of last week. If there is one area where the 24-year-old Pastrnak failed to be like the rest of his core Bruins group hellbent on winning a Stanley Cup, that would be it.

But it’s also widely agreed upon that it isn’t going to take very long for Pastrnak to regain the chemistry with Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand after they have skated together on the Perfection Line for the last two seasons. There’s also plenty of continuity on Boston’s top power play unit, as Pastrnak led the NHL in power play goals this season.

Clearly his linemates aren’t worried.

“Pasta is going to be back for the playoffs, I’m not really looking too much into it,” said Marchand. “It doesn’t take long for chemistry to bounce back with us. Even when I’m going down [the ice] with [Anders Bjork] now and Bergy, we’re kind of looking [to pass] into the areas where Pasta normally sets up.”

The good news for Pastrnak, Kase and the Bruins is that the first three games in the Toronto hub city aren’t going to hold anything significant on the line as round-robin warm-up games, so the reality is they can be eased into the fold with very little on the line during the first week of play.

However as Sweeney alluded to, the situation is “not ideal by any means” and perhaps something that Pastrnak will learn from while the rest of his teammates are working on the ice and getting ready for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. 1188822 Boston Bruins The Bruins require the top line to score consistently. It hasn’t helped that Pastrnak has not taken one shift in camp with his usual linemates.

“Is it ideal? No, it’s not,” Bergeron said. “That being said, I think me, Bruins scrimmage report: 8 observations as undermanned squad tests Pasta and Marsh have been playing together for a while now. It seems itself like every time we’re put back on the line together, we’re finding the chemistry pretty quickly. It seems pretty seamless every time. We’re hoping to rely on that when Pasta comes. Hopefully it’s sooner rather than later and go from there.” By Fluto Shinzawa Jul 20, 2020 3. Matt Grzelcyk has fleet feet, quick hands and rapid processing power.

Players equipped with such tools are well-positioned to perform following David Krejci, Nick Ritchie, Charlie Coyle, Sean Kuraly, Torey Krug and a layoff. It may be why Grzelcyk, one of the sharper defensemen in Tuukka Rask, all held out of Saturday’s practice, returned to Warrior Ice camp, continued to look crisp on Monday. Arena on Monday. On one play, Grzelcyk rotated down the right-side wall, considered his The Bruins, however, remained relatively shorthanded. David Pastrnak options and spotted Nick Ritchie with his stick down at the top of the and Ondrej Kase, who have yet to practice with the full group, were crease. Grzelcyk threaded a cross-body pass through traffic. Ritchie unavailable. Chris Wagner, absent on Saturday, also missed Monday’s easily redirected the puck into the net. session. Charlie McAvoy and Anton Blidh were also missing. “The guys who can play in tight spaces, tight turns, good first pass — I This left Bruce Cassidy with 15 forwards, nine defensemen and four think they’re always a little bit ahead when you’ve had time off. And fast goalies — enough for a scrimmage, albeit somewhat restricted. hands,” Cassidy said. “That’s what Grizz has shown so far. I like the fact The Bruins faced off on a pair of uneven squads, the three-line Team that he’s become more of a leader on his pair.” White and the two-line Team Black. Grzelcyk and Jeremy Lauzon have been good on the No. 3 pairing. It’s Team White helped that Lauzon, a fellow lefty, has played the right side well. While Grzelcyk can play his weak side, he is far better in the defensive zone on Brad Marchand-Patrice Bergeron-Anders Bjork the left.

Nick Ritchie-Charlie Coyle-Sean Kuraly “I’ve been feeling pretty good on the ice,” Grzelcyk said. “I was lucky enough to stick around a little before this all started and get in a few good Trent Frederic-Jack Studnicka-Paul Carey skates with some of the guys that were able to stick around. I’ve felt Zdeno Chara-Jakub Zboril pretty good from a timing aspect. Now that we’re building in a little more scrimmaging and competitiveness, that will only help as we get closer to Matt Grzelcyk-Jeremy Lauzon games.”

Urho Vaakanainen 4. The Bruins have yet to incorporate special teams into their Tuukka Rask scrimmages or drills.

Maxime Lagace They have been without Pastrnak, their go-to shooter on the No. 1 unit. McAvoy, who works the point next to Grzelcyk on the second unit, was Team Black unavailable.

Jake DeBrusk-David Krejci-Karson Kuhlman Cassidy’s original plan was to work on the power play and penalty kill this week. Joakim Nordstrom-Par Lindholm-Zach Senyshyn “It looks like some of that is going to get pushed to Toronto, Torey Krug-Brandon Carlo unfortunately,” Cassidy said. “But we’ll get most of it done. I still believe John Moore-Connor Clifton that.”

Jaroslav Halak 5. Krejci looked like Krejci.

Dan Vladar He was slippery, silky smooth with the puck, able to spot openings that other centers cannot. DeBrusk appeared comfortable as Krejci’s left Observations: wing.

1. Anders Bjork has been a credible fill-in on the No. 1 line. Whether Karson Kuhlman can find chemistry with the second-liners is unknown. But Bjork is no Pastrnak. Kuhlman is ripping fast. He’s good at chasing down pucks. He is fearless Bjork’s issue is puck play in close quarters. In such situations, Brad in battle situations. Marchand and Patrice Bergeron protect the puck like it’s family. Bjork is not as diligent. The 24-year-old coughed up the puck to kill one Once Kuhlman gets the puck, though, it remains to be seen whether he sequence. can make plays. There were times during the scrimmage where Kuhlman could not extend the cycle once he settled the puck. As for Pastrnak, his good buddy Jake DeBrusk reported that the Czech native is hanging in during quarantine. This is where Kase’s absence looms large. The plan was to give Kase heavy action next to Krejci. They haven’t shared one shift yet. “From when I’ve talked to him, he seems to be in good spirits,” DeBrusk said. “Obviously, it’s not the ideal situation. But from when I’ve talked to 6. Brandon Carlo played well. him, he’s still Pasta. He’s still doing his thing. I’m not worried about him at all.” The second-pair shutdown man snuffed out a Marchand rush by simply occupying space along the wall and holding his ground. 2. Patrice Bergeron was nominated for the Selke Trophy for the ninth straight season. Carlo has always defended with his feet and stick. He may be incorporating more muscle into his approach. The 6-foot-5 Carlo said he He is a four-time winner of the trophy given annually to the best put on five pounds during the shutdown. It’s shown. defensive forward. Nobody has won it five times. 7. Coyle may have to carry the third line early on. By now, however, the Bruins rely on Bergeron more for his offense, both as a 5-on-5 presence and the bumper on the first power-play unit. In the The No. 3 center, as he has throughout camp, skated well, protected the scrimmage, Bergeron and Marchand went on the attack like they have puck and made plays during the scrimmage. Not many third-pairing played together for nine seasons. defenders will be equipped to take the puck off Coyle’s stick. The trouble is that Coyle is practically playing with a stranger on his left side.

According to Natural Stat Trick, Coyle and Ritchie shared just 15:55 of 5- on-5 ice time after the Bruins acquired the left wing from Anaheim. It didn’t go well. They were on for two goals against and none for. They posted a 38.46 Corsi For rating.

Not only is Ritchie still learning Coyle and the Bruins’ system, he is fighting nature. The 6-foot-2, 230-pound Ritchie is not a fast-twitch player. At times, Ritchie looked a step out of position.

If Ritchie can’t get on the same page as Coyle and Kuraly — the latter is playing out of position at right wing — Cassidy’s challenge will be how long he stays patient before adjusting the third line. Cassidy likes to tinker.

8. The Bruins could end up missing Danton Heinen, sent to Anaheim for Ritchie.

Heinen was having a down season (7-15—22 in 58 games). He fought his confidence at times.

But Heinen had a history of playing either wing and on any line, being a responsible defensive player while doing so. Such forwards could be more valuable than usual in this wacky postseason.

The Athletic LOADED: 07.21.2020 1188823 Buffalo Sabres

Sabres captain Jack Eichel 'pretty happy' after leaving social media

Lance Lysowski Jul 20, 2020 Updated 15 hrs ago 0

Jack Eichel didn’t stick around Twitter to read the trade speculation.

Eichel, the Buffalo Sabres’ 23-year-old captain, revealed during “Captains Circle,” a team-created YouTube program in which Eichel and Bills quarterback Josh Allen discussed leadership, that he has "been off" social media for several weeks because of negativity.

Eichel hasn't deleted his accounts on Twitter or Instagram, but he hasn't posted on either platform in almost two months. He has previously returned to social media after deactivating both accounts.

The negative comments Eichel referred to likely increased in frequency following his public expression of frustration after the Sabres’ ninth consecutive nonplayoff season. The former second overall draft pick told reporters during a Zoom call in May that he is “fed up with the losing” through a “tough five years.”

The comment led bloggers and fans of other NHL teams to post on social media about potential trades that would get Eichel out of Buffalo. Bruins defenseman Matt Grzelcyk, a college teammate of Eichel’s, was asked about the situation during a Zoom conference call with reporters.

Though Eichel did not elaborate on his decision to unplug from social media, he noted that he did not see a benefit to monitoring what others are saying on those platforms.

“I think it’s always a challenge,” said Eichel when asked about social media during ‘Captains Circle.’ “I think for every positive thing you read on social media you probably read four or five negative things. So I’ve actually been off social media for about a month and a half now. Just made the decision. I didn’t think there was a lot of good out of reading peoples’ minds every day, and I’ve been pretty happy where I’m at right now mentally.”

Eichel's future has been a topic of discussion among fans and media since former Sabres General Manager Jason Botterill was among 22 employees fired June 16. Kevyn Adams, who previously worked as the team’s vice president of business administration, was named general manager.

Adams told reporters during a Zoom conference call last month that one of his first acts of general manager was a phone conversation with Eichel. The two planned to have an in-person meeting at a later date.

Eichel emerged as a superstar this season, scoring a career-high 36 goals despite the NHL's pause limiting him to only 68 games. Additionally, Eichel matched the career-high 82 points he posted in 2018- 19 and was named to his third NHL All-Star Game.

Since Eichel was drafted second overall in 2015, the Sabres rank 30th in points (only Vegas, which began play in 2017-18, has fewer), 27th in goals and 29th in goals against.

Buffalo News LOADED: 07.21.2020 1188824 Calgary Flames The effort did not go unnoticed. “It was awesome,” Ward said with a chuckle. “There’s a guy who is right

into his craft. I mean, he was right on it and hadn’t missed a beat. I know Snapshots: Mangiapane adds himself to list of Flames camp standouts the guys enjoyed it. The great thing about it, of him being involved to the level where he was (Sunday) night, was this is exactly what we’re going to see when we get to the hub. We’re going to see the same sorts of things — it is going to be exactly like it was.” Kristen Anderson, Postmedia That also means no fans. Just a small selection of video cameras, media, Published:July 20, 2020 arena staff and team personnel which may provide more challenges than Updated:July 20, 2020 9:00 PM MDT you’d think.

“It gives us an opportunity to get used to that as a team which we need to,” Ward said. “The one interesting thing, with no fans in the seats, it’s Gustafsson hopes to help Flames’ power play heat up for post-season hard to pick up the puck sometimes with the dark seats. That’s a good thing for us to learn too, before we get into serious competition. Being While Dillon Dube and his line of Milan Lucic and Sam Bennett were able to get pucks off the glass is going to maybe become a bigger thing obvious standouts during Sunday’s scrimmage, Andrew Mangiapane than people think … all those things we’re simulating right now and we’re also turned heads. seeing is ultimately going to make us more prepared for what we’re going Playing with his usual linemates, Matthew Tkachuk and Mikael Backlund, to see when the games get going for real.” the 24-year-old was noticeably speedier and was able to make a pile of AROUND THE BOARDS plays with ease. The Flames have game times all over the map during their play-in round Yes, this was just a scrimmage scenario among teammates — not the with games at 8:30 p.m., 12:30 p.m., and 4:45 p.m. Should they advance real thing, by any means. But there’s plenty in the speedy forward’s past the Winnipeg Jets, they’ll be facing that for much of the post-season. game to suggest he has the ability to go places. For Ward, however, he recalls when he was coaching with the Boston And we’re not just talking about Edmonton’s Rogers Place. Bruins, who were often featured in the NBC Game of the Week at 12:30 p.m. on Sundays. “The players got used to it and actually really enjoyed “I think he can be really effective and really dangerous,” pointed out it,” he said. “I think, with us, we have to understand that our preparations Flames head coach Geoff Ward. “He’s getting more and more confident our guys are making for the earlier starts just has to happen a bit sooner on a daily basis in the league and he’s really grown as a player, I think, in terms of what they need to do to get themselves going.” … To help the more time he spends here. simulate that, they’ll have another scrimmage on Tuesday at 12:30 p.m. “He’s really got his feet underneath him this year, up until this point.” and a scrimmage Thursday at 4:45 p.m., each day ramping up in intensity. That’s the hope, anyway. “Ultimately, our at the end of this It showed in Sunday’s game scenario, too, as Mangiapane was a guy is to try to be right where we were when the pandemic hit. Almost as if that looked like he didn’t need to shake any rust off. Interestingly, there was no pause,” Ward said. “We’re not there yet, but we’re certainly because he was part of the Flames’ curiously grouped nine players which trending in that direction and I like the focus the players are giving us didn’t seem to impact him one bit. right now to get us there.

“Every little play in playoffs is that much more important,” said Calgary Sun: LOADED: 07.21.2020 Mangiapane. “Chipping the puck out, blocking a shot, shooting, everything is that much more focused on. Coming into playoffs, that’s what it’s all about. You’re trying to help out your team in every way possible … I’m definitely excited to get out and start playing again.”

And it shows.

“I think he feels really confident that will continue for him. But the potential he has is tremendous. It’s going to be really awesome to watch it unfold as to where he can take it. Right now, he’s got himself pointed in the right direction.”

Literally, of course, that is straight north and headed for the post-season. Or, at least, Calgary’s play-in round against the Winnipeg Jets.

But, if you’ll remember back to last spring and the Flames’ brief post- season run against the Colorado Avalanche, Mangiapane was arguably one of their best forwards.

There’s no reason to suggest he can’t follow up that performance especially with another NHL season under his belt, one that saw him score 17 goals and 15 assists in 68 games.

“He contributes in so many different ways,” Ward said. “The bottom line for me is it comes out of his work ethic. He just gives you everything he’s got every single night, every single shift. You know he’s not going to get out-competed and he’s not going to give you less than everything he has.

“Because of that, he’s able to play with pucks and make plays because of that and everything flows through there.”

JUST LIKE OLD TIMES

Kudos to the Flames’ in-house entertainment crew who tried to make Sunday’s scrimmage feel like any other home game. They added in their usual pre-game warm-up music, goal horns after players scored, replays on the Enmax Energy Board, and even had the players’ individual goal songs cued up and ready to go.

It also included calling in Beesley, the longtime public address announcer who always approaches his job with flair and enthusiasm. 1188825 Calgary Flames “The game was tiring, it was good, it was what we needed.” There were some question marks, however, surrounding Dube for the

entirety of last week as he and Buddy Robinson were nowhere to be Dube dominates Flames' first scrimmage with improved mindset seen. NHL regulations, of course, allowed his absence to be determined as “unfit to participate.”

Regardless of the reason, he missed valuable time with the Flames as Kristen Anderson, they skated out four months of rust and started getting the feel for the puck back. Published:July 20, 2020 As such, Ward was interested to see how his conditioning would hold up Updated:July 20, 2020 8:11 PM MDT in a scrimmage format — after missing a week of ice times — and had said to the media following Sunday’s morning skate that the Flames’ second-round pick from 2016 would handle the game scenarios. Gustafsson hopes to help Flames’ power play heat up for post-season Dube embraced the pressure — and thrived. For the first time — and, perhaps, the last time — Dillon Dube celebrated his birthday with his pals at Scotiabank “We had a chat before,” said Dube of his conversation with the boss. “I Saddledome, skating during another day of training camp. think I knew that coming in, I knew I needed to be ready to go. I missed out on some things missing out on that week but we went over some The Calgary Flames forward turned 22 on Monday — maybe it is his video and I was lucky enough my line was going and it helped me out a mountain-man beard or maybe it was the fact he planned on celebrating lot. For me now, it’s getting the details 100 per cent and there were some his day via a quiet, relaxing dinner with his parents — but he certainly sloppy plays that were on my end from just from getting tired out there. seems a lot older than someone in their early 20s. “So, I feel like getting back to 100 per cent will be huge when it comes to However, in age and experience, Dube is still very much a young player cleaning up those areas.” with only 70 regular-season NHL games under his belt. 45 of those were in 2019-20. A good reason is because of his work put in when the Flames went their separate ways on March 12, and the ice times and voluntary workouts he It’s something the Flames have to remind themselves of, even when he was able to participate in during Phase 2. is dominating his first training camp scrimmage — which he did on Sunday night, scoring two goals for Team Red — after being kept off the “From all the reports I was getting was that he was just flying and playing ice for the first week of practices due to circumstances the team wouldn’t really, really well in Phase 2,” Ward said. “I did get nervous, I thought the elaborate on. layoff at the beginning of Phase 3 was going to be detrimental for him. But I think he made a big statement (Sunday) night coming back. “There’s no question he’s an NHL player, I mean, that’s more than evident,” Ward said. “So, that’s a real positive thing. He belongs in the “I think probably the shape he got himself into through Phase 2 and league and I think he’s got confidence playing in the league. The biggest through the initial part of the pandemic probably stood real well by him to thing with him is, right now, he has to remember that everything needs to have him be as good as he was last night.” come out of how hard he works. There’s nights where he’s our hardest OK, OK, we get it — these are just intrasquad scrimmages. The real worker and there’s nights he’ll do an awful lot of work to get in on a thing doesn’t start for a week, as the Flames gear up for their exhibition forecheck and he’ll let a defenceman pop the puck by swinging off it. So, against the Edmonton Oilers on July 28 and their best-of-five play-in it’s those little things in his game right now that he needs to develop series against the Winnipeg Jets. Then, perhaps, the post-season. consistency in.” It’s one thing to stand out in a scrimmage — a completely different Those little things, Ward continued explaining, include utilizing his speed scenario to stand out on hockey’s highest stage, with the highest stakes. to approach players and making plays with the puck when he obtains it. His work ethic. His habits. But the layoff, he said, was good for wrapping his head around everything he’s already accomplished this season and where he wants to And consistency in his own self-view, knowing he’s an offensive player in go. the NHL. “I think, for me, going into the playoffs, it’s the same year but it’s been a “I think sometimes as a young player, you tend to defer to the older while off and you have a lot of time off to reflect and think about it,” Dube players around you,” Ward said. “And he does play with a couple of said. “It’s almost like a new year so, your body is recovered and you’re veteran guys. I think the nice for us (Sunday) night watching his feeling good about yourself again … it’s a big thing, to have that time off scrimmage, he was a shooter first. When he gets an opportunity to make and be able to reflect on it and come in with an improved mindset.” those plays and he makes them, he’s a much, much different player. When he’s driving himself that way, when the work ethic is there, when Calgary Sun: LOADED: 07.21.2020 the compete level is there, when he’s paying attention to details, and habits, he’s a much more effective player. That’s when you see his skill start to come out. Those are the things we need to continue to push with him.”

Dube certainly has the makings of a star in the league, showing flashes of that this season before the COVID-19 pandemic forced the NHL pause — and, particularly, in the latter half playing with Milan Lucic and Derek Ryan. He scored six goals and 10 assists in 45 games, after being told to pack his bags for the after last fall’s training camp and the start of the campaign. Recalled in November, he has been with the club ever since.

With Ryan still “unfit to participate” in training camp, Sunday’s scrimmage saw Sam Bennett at the centre position on the trio. All three players stood out in their own ways.

That, in turn, made it easier for Dube, he noted on Monday after the team’s brisk afternoon skate.

“I think my linemates helped me a lot, just being in the right spot and making it easier on your conditioning and getting back into game shape when you’re linemates are in the right spot and reading off each other and working together,” he said. “I think that saved me a lot (Sunday). 1188826 Calgary Flames “You talk to people who have been through these pauses before, whether it be a two-week Super Bowl (lead-up) or layoffs in Stanley Cup playoffs, this and that, we all seem to be talking about the same thing — how important it is to play,” said Ward. “The opportunity for the players to Notes from Flames camp: A week’s worth of weirdness, news and even get bumped, the opportunity to get their game timing in, the opportunity some hockey to get reps on special teams, get reps in different situations, in different zones, is critical — and, at the same time, getting used to playing at

game pace again. Those are all things we need to have in our bag By Scott Cruickshank Jul 20, 2020 quickly.”

And as far as that long-awaited snippet of actual hockey?

On Sunday, there was a morning skate at the Saddledome. Two of them, Those anxious for a snapshot will be thrilled to learn that Team Red — in fact. with Ward monitoring from the deserted stands, with in-game music thumpingly loud, with Beesley expertly handling public-address Then, late in the evening, came an honest-to-goodness exhibition of responsibilities — edged Team White by a count of 3-2 in 40 minutes. shinny — with warmups, officials, game sweaters, intermissions, the (The lineups were reshuffled for the third period, which was dedicated to whole shebang. special teams.)

For a hockey lifer, this rather ordinary sequence of events was now Dubé scored twice, while singles went to Sam Bennett, Zac Rinaldo, something to embrace, and Geoff Ward had not been alone in his keen Elias Lindholm. anticipation of the first intraquad game of the Calgary’s camp. Notching goals during the power-play exercise in the final 20 minutes The sentiment is wholly understandable. The NHL’s return, for everybody were Johnny Gaudreau, Milan Lucic, Lindholm. involved, serves as a distraction from real life. FORWARDS: “To be honest with you, it’s kind of refreshing,” Ward said the other day. “It allows you to get your mind away from the new normal outside the Team White rink. It’s not like we’re watching a lot of CNN anymore or the CTV news Johnny Gaudreau-Sean Monahan-Elias Lindholm or CBC. It’s almost like we can immerse ourselves in hockey. Once we get in the building it’s been great, once we get on the ice, it’s been great. Zac Rinaldo-Mark Jankowski-Tobias Rieder

“We look forward to it becoming even more normal as camp moves on.” Alan Quine-Byron Froese-Austin Czarnik

Because the opening week of tryouts? Team Red

Pretty far from normal. Matthew Tkachuk-Mikael Backlund-Andrew Mangiapane

To recap the twists: Milan Lucic-Sam Bennett-Dillon Dubé

The team hits the ice on Day 1 knowing it will be forging ahead without Adam Ruzicka-Glenn Gawdin-Buddy Robinson the services of Travis Hamonic, who, days earlier, had become the first player to officially opt out of the NHL’s postseason. DEFENCEMEN:

Monday through Friday, there is no sign of forwards Dillon Dubé and Team White Buddy Robinson. The forwards’ absence is explained away by the Mark Giordano-T.J. Brodie league-mandated “unfit to participate” blanket. Derek Forbort-Erik Gustafsson From the start, the 35 players are split into a strange alignment — the morning group features 24, the afternoon group 11 (including Dubé and Connor Mackey Robinson). Ward says the arrangement, which leaves no regular-season line intact, is due to “circumstances.” He chooses to leave it at that. Team Red

Mid-week, general manager Brad Treliving, addressing reporters in a Noah Hanifin-Rasmus Andersson hastily called conference chat, insists that, contrary to speculation, the Oliver Kylington-Michael Stone second group is not being punished or singled out for questionable conditioning. And Johnny Gaudreau, in particular, is fit, in case anyone in Juuso Valimaki-Alexander Yelesin the hockey world had been wondering. So there is zero cause for concern — and zero cause for gossip. Please. GOALIES:

Centres Derek Ryan and Mikael Backlund both depart mid-practice, on Team White different days, for unknown reasons. Cam Talbot

By week’s end, both Ryan and Backlund are on the ice again. The former Jon Gillies by himself well before Sunday’s morning skates, while the latter is back in familiar territory, lodged between Matthew Tkachuk and Andrew Team Red Mangiapane. David Rittich At practice Sunday, lo and behold, here are Dubé, bushy-bearded, and Robinson, who are both cleared for game action. (Dubé, in the afternoon, Artyom Zagidulin declines to offer details about his absence. “I’m 100 percent. I feel As a display of hockey, the video is not soon bound for the Smithsonian good.”) Institute.

Nowhere to be seen, alas, is Matthew Phillips. Because — you guessed When a coach talks post-game about all the “teachable moments,” it’s it — the right-winger is “unable to participate,” according to Ward. not exactly high praise.

Plenty to chew on for a crew that’s already endured its share of adversity That said, this had been a late-night intrasquad game in July. this season. “We have to remember that this was a first scrimmage — and it looked “I really like the maturity of our group,” said Ward. “I thought they treated like a first scrimmage,” said Ward. “That’s not something you want to put everything just the way it should’ve been treated and got the most out of on the ice the first time you’re playing a playoff game, for sure. the situation.” Everybody understands that. What we wanted to do … we got our hands And, finally, they got that taste of game action, which stands as more and our feet going, got used to some game timing again, reviewed our than just comfy routine. That’s not lost on the Flames, who realize that structure. this is a crucial time, performance-wise. “We’ll place more (emphasis) on the quality of play as we move along here.”

Who stood out? Easy.

The line of Lucic-Bennett-Dubé line was the best, and Dubé was the best of the three.

Not even three minutes into the affair, a three-way passing sequence among the linemates resulted in Dubé’s first goal. He may have missed the opening five days of camp, but it’s worth mentioning that the winger had been in Calgary all summer. Meaning he was part of the original group in Phase 2, meaning lots of ice time.

“I was in shape. I was ready to go,” Dubé said before the game. “(But) there’ll be some ground I need to make up.”

Pre-game, Ward had agreed, noting that No. 29 was going to be one of the players immediately under the gun. The coach need not have worried.

“I thought he skated well, I thought he made plays,” Ward said after Dubé’s energetic work. “He was dangerous in the offensive zone. For his first showing, he was real good.”

Too, the Flames’ top unit, reunited Sunday morning, swiftly ironed out any wrinkles.

“I wasn’t nervous at all,” said Gaudreau. “Those are two smart hockey players. They see the ice really well. And we’ve had a lot of chemistry throughout the past two years. So I wasn’t worried about that at all. I thought it was good to be back out there with them … I thought we had a good first day.”

The starting goalies kept the nets the entire night.

Much busier of the two, Talbot allowed three goals (over two periods), while Rittich surrendered a pair. Their aims, heading into the series against the Winnipeg Jets, square, no surprise.

“Obviously, at this time of year, you’re a competitor and you want to be the guy,” said Talbot. “We both want to be the guy. It’s going to be a good, healthy competition, just like it’s been all season. I think Ritter and I are both up to the challenge. No matter who plays, the guys are going to feel comfortable.”

Dropping the puck at 8:30 p.m. for a Sunday scrimmage makes sense.

With a brisk ramp-up to high stakes, the Flames want to be prepared.

Since Game 1 of their best-of-five series — Aug. 1 — is slated for 8:30 p.m. it follows that their intrasquad routine lines up with that. (Their lone friendly, July 28 against the Edmonton Oilers, also fires up at 8:30.)

The Flames plan to stage two more scrimmages this week — expect them to match the times of Games 2 and 3 at Rogers Place. In other words, 12:30 p.m. and 4:45 p.m., respectively.

In a span of four days, the Calgarians will face the Jets three times, all at drastically different times of the day.

“We want to make sure we see all those factors, so our guys know what they feel like and how they have to prepare themselves best,” Ward said. “Anything we can do to get the players used to what they’re going to see in the hub is an advantage to us. We feel it’s a necessary part of preparation.”

The Athletic LOADED: 07.21.2020 1188827 Carolina Hurricanes

The Carolina Hurricanes have a new dilemma in reaching the NHL playoffs. What a relief!

BY LUKE DECOCK

JULY 20, 2020 02:01 PM ,

Reports out of New York indicate the Rangers are likely to go with Igor Shesterkin in net, the 24-year-old who carried the Rangers down the stretch and into the glorious stratosphere of 12th place, also-rans in a normal year, playoff qualifiers in this very abnormal year.

Shesterkin getting the call is not a particularly surprising or controversial development to most of the world, but it is more fascinating to anyone who has witnessed ’s complete and utter dominance of the Carolina Hurricanes over the course of his career, even now, in the dotage of his career.

It’s a nifty little luxury for the Rangers and a wonderful thing for all of us, because the fact that who the Rangers will or should start in goal against the Hurricanes is even open for debate means that we’ve gotten far enough into the NHL’s pandemic-paused training camps to have such matters open for consideration.

There was never any guarantee the NHL would get this far. But at the moment all systems are go for the Hurricanes’ departure to the Toronto playoff bubble Sunday for their best-of-five series against the Rangers — and perhaps beyond.

As August approaches, it’s looking increasingly likely that the NHL actually has a chance to pull this off, thanks in large part to Canada being so far ahead of the COVID curve compared to the United States. If the NHL can get its U.S.-based teams across the border and into the relative safety of Toronto and Edmonton — still an open question — the threat of the virus will be substantially ameliorated.

Even in the United States, the NWSL and MLS have shown that the bubble theory works in practice. The NWSL lost one team before it ever got into its Utah bubble and MLS had a rash of positive tests and postponed games upon arrival in Orlando, but once fully established on site, it has been clear sailing for both.

Their experience — so far — indicates there is indeed a real chance to play pro sports safely in a controlled and contained environment. What MLB and the NFL are trying is a different animal altogether, which is one reason why Canada was willing to lift its 14-day quarantine for American arrivals for the NHL and told the Blue Jays they’d have to play somewhere other than Toronto.

There’s more testing to be done, but with each passing day, it’s looking increasingly likely the NHL will be able to award the Stanley Cup in a manner that’s entirely worthy of the feat. For the Hurricanes to get there, they’ll have to get past the Rangers, and they may quietly be thrilled to see Shesterkin first.

Shesterkin earned the right to be the Rangers’ playoff goalie before the pause, but it will not be shocking in the least if Lundqvist gets the call at some point should Shesterkin stumble even slightly.

There are horses for courses and there are goalies whose performance against certain opponents defies any attempt at logic, and Lundqvist has been peerless against the Hurricanes in all of their forms over the past decade-PLUS: The old, good Hurricanes and the old, bad Hurricanes and the new, good Hurricanes alike. His career save percentage against Carolina is .934, his best against any NHL team, and he’s won 33 of 46 starts against.

Oh, those were the old days, when Lundqvist was younger than 38? This season, the Hurricanes peppered him with 132 shots and scored all of seven goals. Apparently that wasn’t enough to get him the call.

After a summer of dialogue about COVID and the coronavirus, weighted with real implications of life and death, it’s more than a diversion to wonder about who the Rangers will start in goal. It’s a relief.

News Observer LOADED: 07.21.2020 1188828 Carolina Hurricanes “We have a great, deep D corps right now,” Slavin said last week. “Through the playoffs, anything can happen and you see injuries happen and you see some guys get hot and some guys get cold. To have eight guys is going to be extremely helpful. It’s a deep corps and anybody can Hurricanes’ Rod Brind’Amour in no rush to decide lines or goaltender for step into almost any role and play that.” NHL restart GOALTENDING

Petr Mrazek or James Reimer? Brind’Amour can and probably will wait a BY CHIP ALEXANDER little longer before making that goaltending call.

JULY 20, 2020 01:27 PM , “There’s a ton of scenarios,” Brind’Amour said.

In a best-of-five series, a coach must move quickly and decisively on personnel decisions, and especially in net. Make the wrong call and the Carolina Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour liked most of what he saw series could end quickly. from his team in the first week of training camp. “You’re not going to wait around on anybody too long, whether it’s the A full complement of players at practice — meaning no positive tests for goalies or a player,” Brind’Amour said. “If you feel like their game’s not the coronavirus — and no injuries on the ice, there isn’t much else he there I don’t think you can wait to get them going.” could have asked for. Except ... A year ago, the Canes lost the first two games of the opening round “I’d like to get sharp,” Brind’Amour said. “I think we’ve covered a lot of against the Capitals with Mrazek in net. Brind’Amour stuck with him, the stuff but it’s the sharpness. I think we’ve got to sharpen the blade.” series momentum swung and the Canes eventually won in seven. Pace should continue to quicken and intensify. There will be more But the third and fourth games of the series were in Raleigh, with PNC attention to detail. Some decisions — on lines, the defensive pairings, Arena teeming and Mrazek feeding off the fans’ energy. The Canes won goaltending — could be reached before the team ends Phase 3 of the both. In the 2020 postseason it will be Scotiabank Arena in Toronto for all NHL’s Return to Play format and leaves for Toronto on Sunday. the games, with no fans in the stands. “Get game ready and do all the little things right,” forward Nino “A guy might have a bad game but he could still be ready, if you know Niederreiter said Saturday about the focus this week. what I mean,” Brind’Amour said. “That’s a different scenario. But if you Once in Toronto and inside the protective “bubble” there will be continued feel like they’re not up to speed I don’t think any coach can wait around workouts and one exhibition game against the Washington Capitals on too long. There’s just not enough games.” July 29. Then it’s game on. The Canes face the New York Rangers CANES-RANGERS QUALIFYING ROUND beginning Aug. 1 in a best-of-five qualifying round for the playoffs. (Best of five) “The attitude has been phenomenal and the work ethic has been really, really good,” Brind’Amour said. “I’ve been really, really happy with Game 1: Saturday, Aug. 1, 12 p.m. everybody.” Game 2: Monday, Aug. 3, 12 p.m. After being off the ice Monday, the Canes will be at it Tuesday at PNC Arena. As for the decisions to be made ... Game 3: Tuesday, Aug. 4, 8 p.m.

THE LINES *Game 4: Thursday, Aug. 6, TBD

Brind’Amour has kept consistency in the lines through most of the first *Game 5: Saturday, Aug. 8, TBD week of camp and that may not change. * — If necessary There will be no tinkering with the top line that has Sebastian Aho News Observer LOADED: 07.21.2020 centering Teuvo Teravainen and Andrei Svechnikov.

For much of the first week, including some scrimmaging on Saturday, Jordan Staal’s line had Brock McGinn and Justin Williams on his wings. That changed Sunday when Warren Foegele replaced McGinn and McGinn was shifted to Morgan Geekie’s line opposite Jordan Martinook.

Someone figures to be the odd man out among the forwards and it could be on Vincent Trocheck’s line. He has had Ryan Dzingel and Martin Necas on the wings along with Niederreiter during camp.

“We want to battle as hard as we can and I feel like everybody is well motivated,” Niederreiter said.

Niederreiter said he was “not very happy” about his play this season. And now? “Just hit the re-set button and get it going in the playoffs,” he said.

THE DEFENSE

The pecking order on the back end seemed set much of the first week among the eight defensemen.

Jaccob Slavin was reunited with Dougie Hamilton, who missed the last 21 games before the NHL pause with a broken fibula. Brady Skjei and Sami Vatanen, both obtained by the Canes at the Feb. 24 trade deadline, were paired together.

The other two pairings had Jake Gardiner with Trevor van Riemsdyk, and Haydn Fleury with Joel Edmundson. Sunday, there was a tweak: Edmundson playing with Gardiner and van Riemsdyk with Fleury.

As Brind’Amour noted, it’s a nice “problem” to have — eight NHL defensemen, all capable of stepping into the lineup and playing. And any long playoff run should test the depth of a defensive group. 1188829 Chicago Blackhawks Holding on to the puck more than the opponent not only makes for better scoring chances, but also means the line doesn’t have to waste energy on defense, Strome said.

3 takeaways from Chicago Blackhawks camp, including what makes the “(Kane’s) very good with the puck and he wants the puck and he Patrick Kane-Dylan Strome-Alex Nylander line tick and Kirby Dach’s demands the puck, and you’ve got to be aware of when you should hold epiphany on to it and when you should give it up to him,” Strome said. “I find myself forcing a lot of plays to get it to him, but at the same time, you obviously want the puck on his stick.

By PHIL THOMPSON “You’ve just got to learn. … You’ve got to be ready for the puck, you’ve got to get open, and when you have the puck, you’ve got to make the JUL 20, 2020 AT 8:47 PM right play.”

2. Kirby Dach has looked great in camp, and the reason surprises even The Chicago Blackhawks worked on power-play drills Monday at Fifth him. Third Arena. Anything to keep up with the Edmonton Oilers’ No. 1 unit Kirby Dach didn’t realize it at the time, but there was something he with the man advantage. needed to take the next step in his development that he wasn’t getting The Oilers strike gold 29.5% of the time on the power play. during the regular season: nothing, and lots of it.

“We’ve been doing some things to correlate with what they do on the The pause in mid-March helped the rookie take a step back, digest what ice,” Dylan Strome said. “Obviously they’ve got some pretty skilled he had learned and regroup physically and mentally. players over there, so we’re doing some drills to get the pace up so we “I had been playing hockey for the past 18 months leading up to the know what it’s going to be like to play against those players. COVID break,” Dach said. “They make plays at top speed, so we’ve got to be aware of that at all Between September 2018 and the NHL hiatus in March, Dach’s calendar times.” included the Saskatoon Blades’ regular season, the Western Hockey Special teams will be a factor — the Hawks power play ranked 28th League playoffs, Blackhawks development camp, the prospects (15.2%), though they made great strides with their penalty kill — but tournament in Traverse City, Mich., and the Hawks regular season. coach Jeremy Colliton would rather match up at even strength. “So to get that break away from the game and just rejuvenate and relax “We’d like to play five on five as much as we can, or at least not be killing — but at the same time putting the work in the gym and getting ready to penalties,” he said. “We take our power plays, but if we can win the go — that was really important,” Dach said. “At the time, it may not have special teams battle, it’ll be huge for us.” seemed like that. But now that I look back on it, it was good for me.”

Here are three other observations from camp. Observers have noted Dach’s increased speed and strength, which he attributes to building up his core and lower-body strength during the 1. The Oilers have to watch Dylan Strome and Alex Nylander — not just break. Patrick Kane. “The biggest takeaway from the regular season was just how strong guys Dylan Strome and Alex Nylander have been two of the goal-scoring stars are in the corners and winning those battles and how important those of training camp and look to pick up where they left off during the season. pucks are,” Dach said. They were reunited on the second line with Patrick Kane for the last seven games before the NHL suspended play because of the He has focused on becoming a better skater and developing his center of coronavirus pandemic. gravity “to win those pucks.” He won just 33.8% of his 222 faceoffs.

“Yeah, Strome’s finding the back of the net,” defenseman Slater The 19-year-old center, who’s 6-foot-4 and 197 pounds, still has room to Koekkoek said Sunday. “I think he’s using a new stick. Kaner finds you grow into his body. anywhere, anytime. That line’s been good, and Nylie’s flying.” “I know I’m young still and I have a lot to go in that aspect,” he said, “but It was a different story for Nylander in December, when “there was a if I can build a good base layer for myself and build on top of that, drop-off (in his production) and so then we flipped it,” coach Jeremy hopefully it’ll be a good career.” Colliton said Sunday, referring to Nylander’s demotion at the time. “This 3. It was a false alarm with Jonathan Toews, but Brent Seabrook’s last time I thought Alex responded really well to the opportunity.” outlook remains murky. After more than a week of training camp, the Nylander-Strome-Kane line Jonathan Toews left the ice midway through practice and didn’t return, appears to have rekindled its chemistry from late February and March — but coach Jeremy Colliton downplayed it. and then some. “Just trying to keep him fresh,” Colliton said. “Nothing other than that.” “We all bring a different element to the game,” Strome said after practice Monday. “Nylie’s got great speed and a great shot and he can make Brent Seabrook, meanwhile, was on the ice again Monday, but how plays. And then obviously Kane does his thing with the puck and makes realistic is it that he will be healthy enough to play? plays all over the ice, so it blends well together. I just try to get open and make plays. Fully healthy, Seabrook and Calvin de Haan could make a potent defensive combination, but de Haan has missed time because of a family “Our big thing is not throwing the puck away and holding on to it.” emergency, and it’s fair to wonder how viable Seabrook is. He hasn’t played in a game since December, undergoing surgeries on his right Avoiding turnovers is key, but so is providing defensive support and shoulder and both hips since then. causing turnovers, a couple of areas in which Nylander struggled with consistency. “The biggest thing for Seabs is to just get back on the ice with us,” Colliton said. “It’s been a long rehab. For him to just get on with the team “We want him to have some impact on the game when he doesn’t have and practice and scrimmage, it was the logical next step for him. We’ll the puck, and especially when you’re playing with Kaner,” Colliton said. see where it goes.” “We need them to have the puck. That’s when we’re getting the most out of Patrick.” Kirby Dach, who lives with Seabrook, called him a “warrior.”

Kane played just under 111 minutes with Strome and Nylander, and the “I’ve never seen anybody work as hard as him off the ice to get back in line had an expected goals-for percentage of 51.4% in five-on-five the shape he’s in now,” Dach said. “It’s only been five months and he had situations, according to Natural Stat Trick. Their share of total scoring three major surgeries. That on its own is a pretty remarkable feat.” chances was 53%. Chicago Tribune LOADED: 07.21.2020 1188830 Chicago Blackhawks their NHL playoff debuts. He talked about that, with regard to Nylander, on Friday.

“As camp goes on . . . we’ll talk more about certain details that we want to Blackhawks’ Patrick Kane-Dylan Strome-Alex Nylander line dominating do when we’re on the ice together,” Kane said. “But [I’m] leaving him during camp alone right now because he looks great. He’s skating well, his puck control is really good and he’s creating a lot in any battle drill or scrimmage so far. I think he and Strome have looked really good so far in camp.” By Ben Pope Chicago Sun Times LOADED: 07.21.2020 Jul 20, 2020, 5:04pm CDT

The Blackhawks’ official “second” line of Dylan Strome centering Patrick Kane and Alex Nylander has been hotter than the weather outside since training camp started last week.

In the three intrasquad scrimmages, that line has seven of the team’s 12 goals. Strome scored twice in Team Black’s 3-0 win last Wednesday, then again in the 1-1 tie Saturday, and Kane and Nylander each scored twice in Team Black’s 5-2 win Sunday.

Even in other drills, all three have been noticeably quick and accurate.

“That line’s looked really good so far,” coach Jeremy Colliton said Sunday. “They’ve been active, skating well, showing a lot of chemistry, and they’ve been scoring, so hopefully that continues.”

“We all bring a different element to the game,” Strome said Monday. “[Nylander has] great speed and a great shot, and he can make plays. And then, obviously, Kane does his thing with the puck and makes plays all over the ice, so it blends well together. I just try to get open.”

It makes sense that Colliton immediately turned to Nylander-Strome- Kane when sketching out lines at the start of camp, and even more sense that he has stuck with them.

That line spent five games together in the middle of the regular season, then reunited for the last seven games before the March 12 season stoppage. Overall, in 110 minutes together, the line outscored opponents 10-5 and generated a 53.0% scoring-chance ratio. When not alongside the other two, Nylander, Strome and Kane had scoring-chance ratios below 48.3%.

Their success was driven not only because of Kane’s presence but also because of their well-matched skills.

Kane, while deadly offensively, is most effective when he has teammates who can get him the puck and maximize the Hawks’ possession rate. Strome and Nylander do exactly that. They ranked second and fourth, respectively, on the team in assists per minute, and Strome ranked third on the team in high-danger passes per minute (according to analyst Corey Sznajder).

Plus, Colliton has worked with Nylander to help him improve his retrieval skills.

“[We’ve emphasized] his work ethic away from the puck and getting to full speed away from the puck, to put pressure on [opponents] and cause turnovers and to give defensive support,” Colliton said. “Especially when you’re playing with Kane, we need to have the puck.”

Interestingly, Strome admitted Monday that he wasn’t even at full strength during the line’s initial torrid streak in late February and early March.

The ankle injury that caused him to miss most of the Hawks’ January schedule still hurt when the season stopped, Strome said. But the extra three months off that the pandemic provided, during which he consciously prioritized ankle-friendly exercises — such as riding the bike instead of running — helped fully heal it.

“I feel great,” he said. “Our line’s been clicking really well, and I feel confident with the puck, and I feel like my skating’s gotten better.”

So now Strome is healthy, Nylander has completed a full year of learning under the Hawks’ coaching staff and Kane is, well, still Kane.

That should make for a truly dangerous trio as the Hawks think ahead to the series against the Oilers.

Kane, with his three Stanley Cup rings, will have to prepare Strome and Nylander for the postseason experience. Both youngsters will be making 1188831 Chicago Blackhawks The Hawks spent a significant portion of Monday's practice working on the power play. Duncan Keith, Kirby Dach, Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane and Dominik Kubalik were on the top unit, while the second unit had Adam Boqvist, Alex DeBrincat, Alex Nylander, Dylan Strome and Drake Caggiula 'would like to play until I'm 50 if I can' Brandon Saad.

Keith and Boqvist were quarterbacking their respective units, while Dach and Saad provided the net-front presence. John Dietz Toews left practice afterward, but Jeremy Colliton said it was just so the Updated7/20/2020 9:01 PM captain can stay fresh.

Daily Herald Times LOADED: 07.21.2020 When Jeremy Colliton was 28 years old, he was faced with making perhaps the most difficult decision of his life: Should he retire or attempt to come back from yet another concussion?

But after talking with his wife, his family and his agent, the path became clear: It was time to hang up the skates to secure his long-term future.

It's a tough call for anyone who has experienced head trauma, and Colliton is certainly someone players can approach when trying to make that decision for themselves.

One such player could be Blackhawks forward Drake Caggiula, who missed 30 games this season and over a month last season with concussions.

Caggiula has no plans to end his career, however, and hopes to keep playing for quite some time.

"I mean I would like to play until I'm 50 if I can," Caggiula said after practice Saturday. "I'm feeling healthy, head's feeling strong, feeling clear and good, hand's feeling good. I'm a hockey player to the core and I'm going to play this game for as long as I can."

Caggiula is a feisty, scrappy forward who also possesses plenty of offensive skill. He's scored 14 goals in 66 games with the Hawks since being acquired from Edmonton midway through the 2018-19 campaign.

The 26-year-old is also going to be a father for the first time and will be a restricted free agent after this season is over.

The question is, should Caggiula -- while continuing to play a hard- nosed, aggressive game -- stop dropping the gloves when opportunities arise? After all, it's something Stan Mikita managed to do and no one every thought less of him for it.

It seems to be the prudent thing to do, but Colliton doesn't expect his forward to completely change how he plays.

"Jules ... has to get dirty," Colliton said. "He has to get his nose in there and go to the net and play physical. That's why he's an NHLer. We want him to be smart (and) we want him to not put himself in vulnerable positions.

"But I think the biggest thing is he's taken the time to recover 100 percent. That's the biggest thing with concussions. When you give yourself time to heal totally then you give yourself the best chance to put it behind you."

RFAs like Caggiula, Dylan Strome and Dominik Kubalik may have to accept a bit less due to a salary cap that's expected to be flat for the next couple of seasons. Caggiula said he isn't overly concerned about the negotiation process, however, and just hopes he can stay in Chicago for as long as possible.

"This is an amazing place to play," Caggiula said. "I grew up as a Blackhawks fan, so I'd love to play here the rest of my career, but hockey can be an unpredictable sport.

"With that being said, I just want to do whatever I can in these playoffs and this opportunity to make sure I set myself up for following years."

Still absent:

Corey Crawford (unfit to participate) and defensemen (unfit) and Calvin de Haan (family emergency) missed another practice Monday.

Crawford and Murphy could be injured or they could have the coronavirus, although the NHL released a statement Monday that said only two players have tested positive for COVID-19 since Phase 3 testing began July 13.

Power up: 1188832 Chicago Blackhawks Despite not generating as much offense as he did last year, DeBrincat scored 10 power play goals in the regular season, good for an 18th place tie with four other players, including Steven Stamkos.

How Blackhawks' power play can factor into series against Oilers Strome also saw a dip in offensive production during the regular season, but a decent amount of that can be chalked up to injury. He and Alex Nylander have been very noticeable playing on a line with Kane in camp. That can lead to confidence for the pair on the power play. By Scott King July 20, 2020 7:29 PM Nylander showed a lot of offensive upside in his first year with the Hawks

and it only seems to have improved in watching him at camp. His skill set During the regular season, the Blackhawks' power play was a major could definitely help on the Hawks' second unit. cause of concern. There's still so much offensive talent on the Hawks yet "Nylie's got great speed and a great shot and he can make plays," they were scoring so few goals on the man advantage. Strome said of Nylander's game after Monday's practice. At the time of the NHL pause on March 12 — due to the COVID-19 "He's got all the talent in the world. He's a great skater, he’s got all the pandemic — Chicago's power play was at No. 28 in the league out of 31 puck skills, he's got a good shot," Kane said of Alex. teams. The Oilers touted the league's best power play, converting on 29.5% of their man advantages. Boqvist got plenty of reps as the power play quarterback during the season. The sky's the limit for the rookie defenseman's offensive The Hawks were converting on a putrid 15.2% of their power plays during potential. the regular season. As for Saad, he's still a serviceable, skilled player who's a scoring threat. To be fair, there was some hope right before the pause. He probably had the worst puck luck of any of the Hawks this season. He The Blackhawks scored on two of their three power plays in their 6-2 had 33 points before the pause (21 goals, 12 assists) but easily could victory over the San Jose Sharks on March 11, the night before the have had over 50. Look for him to be a motivated point producer on the pause. Duncan Keith and Patrick Kane each had power play tallies for man advantage. Chicago in the second period of the contest against the Sharks. The bad news for the Hawks is that the Oilers penalty kill was the second Getting to the postseason now, the team's power play units have a little best in the league this season behind the San Jose Sharks, killing 84.4% bit of a different look. Throughout the first week of training camp these of their penalties. The Blackhawks' units will have to be at their best to are how the Hawks' two units have looked: convert against them.

*PP1: Kane, Jonathan Toews, Kirby Dach, Dominik Kubalik, Keith Come Aug. 1, when the best-of-five play-in series begins, we'll see if the changes in personnel and the work put in during the pause will be *PP2: Dylan Strome, Alex DeBrincat, Brandon Saad, Alex Nylander, enough to outduel a shorthanded Edmonton. Adam Boqvist Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 07.21.2020 Chicago head coach Jeremy Colliton changed personnel around on the power play a little bit throughout the season. With the units from camp — which we will likely see against the Oilers in the qualifying round — one noticeable decision Colliton made is moving DeBrincat down to the second unit, he was on the first in their last regular season game.

Kubalik, a rookie forward for the Hawks, was thrown on the top unit, and for good measure. He scored 30 goals before the pause and was named a Calder trophy finalist. Chicago can definitely take advantage of his shot.

Dach, another rookie forward with the Blackhawks, was on the top unit against the Sharks on March 11 and was stationed in front of San Jose's net.

The 19-year-old took the four months during the pause before camp to add muscle to his 6'4 frame. His offensive game has been one of the standouts of camp as well. Dach has the same duty on the new-and- improved Hawks' power play, screening the goalie and trying for a deflection, but now he's harder to move and seems to have worked on his hands too.

"I mean I noticed it right away when he came back when he was skating with us right before training camp. … Looks like he’s skating better, looks like his shot's better," Kane said of Dach on Friday. "He looks like he’s a little bit bigger, like he might have put some weight on. He’s looked good."

Dach knows a good power play can make a big difference for a team in the postseason.

"I think power plays in the playoffs are a huge thing to gain momentum," he said. "As a group of power-play players, we know that the regular season was kind of unacceptable and that we have a lot of growth to do there to help our team win. I think the way we’re moving the puck now and making plays, hopefully it can all come together and be a factor for us against Edmonton."

In addition to Kubalik's sniping ability and Dach's physical upgrade, Duncan Keith has been buzzing around the ice since Day 1 of camp last Monday and has lots of experience quarterbacking a power play. Toews looks like himself and should be able to both help keep the puck in the offensive zone and create plays on the man advantage. Kane, to no one's surprise, has been lighting up training camp.

The second power play unit has some promise as well. 1188833 Chicago Blackhawks

NHL releases COVID-19 testing results from first 5 days of training camp

By Scott King July 20, 2020 1:52 PM

On Monday, the NHL released the COVID-19 testing results from the first five days of Phase 3's formal team training camps.

Only two players tested positive within the window (July 13-17) after 2,618 tests were administered to more than 800 players. According to the league, both players that tested positive "have self-isolated and are following CDC and Health Canada protocols."

The NHL is not disclosing the names of players that test positive. Under the new collective bargaining agreement, players that test positive for COVID-19 will be deemed "unfit to play", just as injured players are.

The Blackhawks will finish their training camp on July 26 before heading to Edmonton for the NHL's 24-team postseason tournament the same day.

The Hawks take on the St. Louis Blues in an exhibition game on July 29, then begin their best-of-five qualifying round series with the Edmonton Oilers on Aug. 1.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 07.21.2020 1188834 Chicago Blackhawks

2020 NHL Season Restart: Blackhawks opponents, schedule, format and odds

By Scott King July 20, 2020 11:06 AM

The Chicago Blackhawks are a part of the NHL's Return To Play Program after being in 12th place in the Western Conference at the time of the NHL Pause on March 12 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They will play in an exhibiton game in one of the league's two hub cities and compete in the qualifying round to advance to Round One of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Click to download the MyTeams App for the latest Blackhawks news and analysis.

When does the NHL restart begin?

Beginning July 28, each of the 24 teams competing in the postseason tournament will play one exhibition game.

The official 24-team postseason tournament begins on Aug. 1.

What teams are the Blackhawks playing?

The Blackhawks will take on the defending Stanley Cup champion St. Louis Blues in an exhibition game before starting the tournament by facing the Edmonton Oilers — No. 5 in the West at the time of the pause — in a best-of-five play-in series with the winner advancing to Round One of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The top 12 teams in each conference will compete in the tournament with the bottom eight in each playing in the qualifying round and the top four playing in a round-robin for seeding.

Where will the games be played?

Two hub cities were chosen for the NHL restart: Edmonton and Toronto. All of the Blackhawks' games will be played in Edmonton.

Edmonton's Rogers Place arena will host the Conference Finals and Stanley Cup Final in addition to the Stanley Cup Qualifiers, Round Robin, and the first two rounds of the playoffs for the Western Conference.

Scotiabank Arena in Toronto will host the Stanley Cup Qualifiers, Round Robin, and the first two rounds of the playoffs for the Eastern Conference.

2020 Blackhawks Restart schedule

The Blackhawks will play the exhibition game against the Blues on July 29. The Hawks will later face the Oilers for the play-in series with Game 1 on Aug. 1 at 2 p.m. CT. The rest of Chicago's qualifing round schedule is as follows:

Game 2 — Aug. 3 at 9:30 p.m. CT

Game 3 — Aug. 5 at 9:30 p.m. CT

Game 4 — Aug. 7 (TBD)*

Game 5 — Aug. 8 (TBD)*

Updated odds to win the 2020 Stanley Cup

The Tampa Bay Lightning are the favorites to win the trophy at +550, then the Boston Bruins and the Vegas Golden Knights, both at +600.

The Blackhawks' odds are +4000 to win it all and their play-in series opponent, the Oilers', are +3000.

The Montreal Canadiens have the worst odds at +10000.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 07.21.2020 1188835 Chicago Blackhawks

Patrick Kane: Winning Olympic gold medal for USA would be 'unbelievable'

By Charlie Roumeliotis July 20, 2020 9:25 AM

If there’s an opportunity to represent Team USA in any capacity, Patrick Kane is usually one of the first players to jump at it. He most recently served as team captain at the 2018 and 2019 IIHF World Championship, and probably would’ve done so for a third straight time if the tournament didn’t get canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kane has as decorated a resumé as any American-born player, but there’s something he hasn’t accomplished in his hockey career yet that he’d love to soon: a gold medal at the Winter Olympics.

The closest he ever got was a silver medal in 2010 when Team Canada defeated Team USA in . Kane recorded the primary assist on Zach Parise‘s game-tying goal in the final minute of regulation.

Click to download the MyTeams App for the latest Blackhawks news and analysis.

After not sending its players to the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics, the NHL and NHL Players’ Association agreed to change that for the 2022 Beijing Olympics and 2026 Milan Olympics, pending negotiations with the International Federation and International Olympic Committee. And there might not be a player that’s more excited than Kane.

"It's great, it’s exciting," Kane said. "You look at the Olympics, it's something the Americans haven’t done in a long time. Hopefully fight for a roster spot, get on the team and try to do something special. That would be unbelievable to bring an Olympic gold back to the U.S., say you did that and be part of a team like that.”

Perhaps the most exciting part for the Americans is the roster it could field. Kane has never skated on the same sheet of ice as teammates with Auston Matthews, Jack Eichel and an array of top defensemen such as Seth Jones and Jaccob Slavin. Even the goaltenders are a loaded bunch with Ben Bishop, John Gibson and Connor Hellebuyck.

Every American superstar is either in their prime or just entering it, which gives Team USA a legitimately chance to take home its first gold medal since the 1980 Miracle on Ice team.

“You look at the Americans, we've got a lot of young talent,“ Kane said. “We’ve got a lot of guys in a couple years will be better than they are now. So looks like the future is bright for USA Hockey."

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 07.21.2020 1188836 Chicago Blackhawks Seabrook’s instincts are still there. He’s made some quality passes and hasn’t shown any tentativeness to throw around his body in the scrimmages. It’s a matter of being able to play at game speed. He looks a step slower and is not moving as naturally. A lot of that is expected Five observations from the Blackhawks’ scrimmages as they prepare for coming off two hip surgeries. Oilers 4. Adam Boqvist has picked up where he left off offensively from the season. His team hasn’t had as much of the puck in the scrimmages, but he’s made things happen in the offensive zone when he’s had a chance. By Scott Powers Jul 20, 2020 In this clip, he sets up Toews for a money look. Goalie Kevin Lankinen

delivers a better save, though. Drill work, skating laps, spending time at the board, all those things have Boqvist jumps up on the play on this one and scores off a pass from been essential as the Blackhawks returned to the ice this past week after MacKenzie Entwistle. nearly four months away. 5. Brandon Hagel, Philipp Kurashev and Dylan Sikura are likely depth But when it comes down to it, the scrimmages will matter the most. It’s players on the roster for the Oilers’ series. Colliton seems set with his 12 what will prepare them for game speed, game scenarios and so on. forwards. But the trio has looked good in practices. Sikura especially was The bulk of the Blackhawks’ practices during the past two days has been one of the best forwards on the ice Saturday. devoted to scrimmages. They have divided up the teams and gave each It’s likely between Hagel and Sikura as the 13th forward on the depth one three lines and two defenseman pairings. Here are five observations chart. Kurashev probably won’t be in the mix for a spot this time around, along with video clips from the past two scrimmages: but you can see why he could be knocking on the door next season. 1. No line has compared to the Alex Nylander-Dylan Strome-Patrick Sikura’s greatest skill is his offense, but if he’s not producing at the NHL Kane line during the past two days. That group has had the puck the level he needs to be aggressive defensively and win back pucks. There most, created the most chances and scored the most goals. It has just have been times he’s done that and not done that with the Blackhawks. been at a different level. He’s looked hungry with and away from the puck in camp. Defenseman Slater Koekkoek has taken notice. This is an example of Sikura (95) getting a chance of a faceoff and then “Strome’s finding the back of the net there,” Koekkoek said after taking the puck off a defenseman behind the net and regaining Sunday’s scrimmage. “I wasn’t on his team for one of the games and I possession. think he had two that day, so I was giving it to him a little bit. He looks The following play was one of Hagel’s (38) better shifts. He has speed good, his shot looks good. Think he’s using a new stick. Kaner finds you and he’s always moving. anywhere, anytime. That line’s been good. And Nylie’s flying. I think he was working hard during his quarantine, working hard on his tan as well, Here’s a clip of Sikura (95) and Kurashev (71) creating chances on the so he’s looking good.” same shift:

Count Blackhawks coach Jeremy Colliton among those impressed, too. Kurashev has an ability to hold on to the puck, maneuver around opponents and create for himself and others. There’s a level of creativity “That line has looked good so far,” Colliton said Sunday. “They’ve been to his game that’s higher than most of the Blackhawks’ prospects. You really active, they’ve been skating well, they’ve been showing a lot of see some of that on this play: chemistry and they’ve been scoring. Hopefully, that continues.” The following is another clip of Kurashev handling the puck. The following is the only goal scored during Saturday’s scrimmage. Everyone touches the puck on the line. Nylander carries the puck in, gets The Athletic LOADED: 07.21.2020 it out to Kane and Kane connects with Strome at the net for the goal.

The goal was similar to one the trio scored before the season was suspended.

This play doesn’t result in a goal, but it’s another example of all three players touching the puck and creating a high-quality chance. Nylander brings in the puck, gives it to Kane, gets it back from Kane and sets up Strome at the net. This line was matched up against Alex DeBrincat, Jonathan Toews and Brandon Saad most of the time.

The line has been so good that it has been on the ice for all six goals scored by its team during the two days and six of the eight goals scored in the two scrimmages.

This is another example of the line being active and getting a number of chances.

Kane nearly connects with Strome for another goal on this play.

Nylander scored twice in Sunday’s scrimmage. On this play, he knocks in a rebound.

2. Strome and Nylander have looked good, but it’s a line that’s obviously driven by Kane. He returned in great shape and continues to create chances. He had two goals and two primary assists in the two scrimmages. The following are his two goals from Sunday’s scrimmage. On the first, he deflects a puck and scores on a breakaway.

On the second one, Kane receives the puck from Nylander, who supports the puck and creates some additional space to set up Kane for a goal.

3. Brent Seabrook is going to need time to come back. It’s difficult to envision him playing in this series unless the Blackhawks really need him. The reality is they might need him depending on the statuses of Calvin de Haan and Connor Murphy. 1188837 Colorado Avalanche day and doing everything we can to stay healthy so we can get into Edmonton as a healthy group.”

Denver Post: LOADED: 07.21.2020 Conor Timmins making case for Avalanche roster spot in Edmonton NHL bubble

By KYLE FREDRICKSON | July 20, 2020 at 5:03 p.m.

Conor Timmins’ rookie impression at Avalanche training camp was so strong in 2017 that coach Jared Bednar faced a difficult choice: Jumpstart the second-round defenseman’s NHL career? Or ship him back to juniors for more development?

Colorado played it safe but knew his future was bright.

“We had discussions about him playing for (us),” Bednar said. “That’s how good he was.”

On Monday, after three years of setbacks and growth, the Timmins buzz returned to Pepsi Center as Colorado enters its second week of training camp 2.0. The Avs’ postseason seeding games start Aug. 2 in the Edmonton NHL bubble against the St. Louis Blues.

Will Timmins make the trip?

Bednar, on a Monday video conference call, told reporters Timmins is “definitely a guy that we’re considering taking with us.”

“He’s been really good,” Bednar said. “I like his puck-moving ability. I think he’s a real good passer. He’s a real heads-up player and finds a way to move the puck in and out of the zone. … On the offensive side of things, I think he’s really good, and his physicality and competitiveness in practice are starting to pick up in these scrimmages.”

Timmins’ NHL ascension was delayed shortly after he signed his entry- level Avalanche contract in 2018. A concussion he suffered near the end of his final season of junior hockey had lingering symptoms — holding Timmins out of the entire 2018-19 season for Avs’ AHL-affiliate Colorado Eagles.

Timmins appeared unfazed. He returned for the 2019 Avs training camp, and surprisingly, made Colorado’s opening-night roster. But Timmins played in only two NHL games before joining the Eagles, where he went on to miss several weeks with a lower-body injury.

“It’s been kind of a tough couple of years,” Timmins said Monday. “I haven’t really had a lot of opportunities to play a lot of games. Anytime I can be around the rink and get extra reps, especially with these guys, is great for my development. It’s going to be really cool to be on this run.”

Timmins said this past season in the AHL — 27 points (3 goals) over 40 games — allowed his skillset to grow, especially on defense, as Timmins works toward earning a spot on the Avs’ 30-man roster.

“After playing a year in the American League, and battling through some injuries even this year, I feel like (Timmins) is in a pretty good place,” Bednar said. “He’s coming in here as a confident player and a player that wants to help make an impact for our team.”

Makar missing. For the second consecutive training camp practice, the Avalanche were without finalist . The rookie defenseman left the ice midway through Saturday’s workout for unspecified reasons, with NHL rules in the coronavirus pandemic allowing Bednar to say only that Makar was “unfit” to complete the practice.

On Monday, with Colorado scrimmaging five-on-five with power-play scenarios, Makar remained absent. Bednar did not have an update on Makar’s status or whether the team is concerned if he will be available to play in Edmonton.

Coronavirus update. The NHL announced Monday that only two players have tested positive for COVID-19 since July 13 for its third phase for return to play (the start of training camps).

“I think (the numbers) are encouraging,” Bednar said. “When you spend time around our guys in our group and you see how serious everyone is taking it, the way they’re going about their daily lives, and making sure they’re limiting their contact with people outside of our little bubble here in Denver, I think other teams are doing the same thing. We’re testing every 1188838 Colorado Avalanche What they provide: Seeing MacKinnon and Rantanen with a Swede on the left wing is nothing new. But this version features a different look with Burakovsky swapping places with Landeskog. Injuries limited Burakovsky to 58 contests but he still recorded his first 20-goal campaign. At one One thing is clear: The Avalanche are no longer a one-line playoff team point, he was on pace to finish with anywhere between 27 to 30 goals while going into a contract year that could see him earn a multi-year

extension with the club. Burakovsky was primarily on the second line until By Ryan S. Clark Jul 20, 2020 injuries to others prompted Bednar to use him on the top unit.

Part of what made the Landeskog, MacKinnon and Rantanen partnership effective was the ability to play in one-two combinations that would allow One-line teams might win a playoff game or two. But a four-line team can the third skater to find freedom for an open shot. Then it evolved into how conceivably do more. Like win a playoff series or even a Stanley Cup. they used certain positions on the ice to generate production. Landeskog’s ability to operate in the low slot or net front gave him Just ask Jared Bednar and the Colorado Avalanche. They would know scoring opportunities while also serving as a shield. MacKinnon’s speed because they have been the one-line team that has lost to the four-line allowed him to reach multiple places on the ice. From there, he was able team. Only to then work toward becoming the four-line team that now to assess the situation before attacking or advancing with the idea of theoretically has the advantage over those one-line teams. distributing. Rantanen’s ability to facilitate while using his size to shield See kids. This is what being “On The Come Up” looks like. off defenders is what gave him more time to find the right lanes. Couple that with the notion he would launch shots from all areas knowing more “That’s the key. If you look at the previous winners of the Stanley Cup than 60 percent of his goals in 2018-19 came from the low slot and net finals, there is nobody that won with a two-line team or a three-line team,” front, according to IcyData. Avalanche center Pierre-Edouard Bellemare said. “Nowadays, hockey in 2020, you have to have four lines to be able to keep the momentum, to Replacing Landeskog with Burakovsky means that approach could create to or play a good checking line. It’s vital. You won’t go far if you change. IcyData shows 48 percent of Burakovsky’s shots come from the don’t have four lines that are competitive.” perimeter with 58 percent of his goals coming from areas beyond the low slot and net front. Although it might not matter where the attempts are Bellemare being the one pointing that out represents the evolution made coming from should Burakovsky continue firing shots at a higher rate. by Avalanche general manager Joe Sakic and his front office staff. They Earlier in the season, MacKinnon spoke with Burakovsky after reviewing used the past two offseasons to add players with playoff experience to his metrics and urged the left winger to shoot more. Burakovsky supplement a young core that was on the other side of that dynamic. averaged a career-best 1.78 shots per game while also scoring on 19.4 From it comes a roster that provides Bednar the flexibility to adjust line percent of his shots after converting 12.9 percent of time when he was combinations, and to know he can split up captain and star left winger with the Washington Capitals. Gabriel Landeskog from superstar center Nathan MacKinnon. “I’ve liked the chemistry those guys have had during the year and I think In less than a week, the Avalanche will fly to Edmonton where they will MacKinnon played real well with Burakovsky at times during the year,” officially begin working toward winning the franchise’s third Stanley Cup. Bednar said. “We touched on it with Landy and with Mikko. That line is Bednar will likely use the time between now and then to tinker with his expected to No. 1, produce offensively on a nightly basis. I think they lines to create the strongest yet varied configurations imaginable. The take a lot of pride in that in being able to produce. Along with that, we results of those experiments should be known once they have played a know they are going to see stiff competition with our opponents.” lone exhibition game against the Minnesota Wild before entering the Western Conference round robin against the Dallas Stars, St. Louis Are there concerns?: Taking Landeskog off that line leaves a question Blues and Vegas Golden Knights. about who would serve as the forward one (F1) whenever the Avalanche are in their defensive zone. Landeskog hovered above the crease while Playing the Blues and Golden Knights comes with a bit of added MacKinnon and Rantanen were roaming either the perimeter or the point. significance beyond determining playoff seeds as they are the most That way, a turnover leads to whoever is the high forward taking recent Western Conference finalists with the Blues winning the Stanley possession and bursting through to potentially create an odd-man rush. Cup last season. So who occupies that role now? Bednar has slotted MacKinnon as the Several factors worked toward the Blues winning their first Stanley Cup. F1. A cavernous yet empty Pepsi Center has made it more audible to One of them was having four lines with balance that went beyond six of learn MacKinnon will routinely call out what is going on whenever his line their forwards finishing with more than 10 points. They had seven is on defense. He has been seen talking with Burakovsky after drills in an forwards from Conn Smythe winner Ryan O’Reilly to journeyman winger effort to review what worked and if there were any other areas where Patrick Maroon who combined to score 13 of their 16 game-winning they could have been more consistent. Their line did not allow any goals goals. Furthermore, all but one forward – Robby Fabbri – average more during the team’s scrimmage Sunday with Rantanen making a point to than 10 minutes of playing time throughout their postseason run. consistently and aggressively check to pry possession away.

How did the Avalanche compare considering they were a victory away Burakovsky, MacKinnon and Rantanen were only together for 65:16 in 5- from meeting the Blues in the Western Conference final a year ago? on-5 sequences, according to Natural Stat Trick. They were a minus-7 MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen were the only forwards who finished when it came to allowing more scoring chances and a minus-9 in terms with more than 10 points. Those two along with Landeskog scored all but of giving up more high-danger scoring chances. Only to then be a minus- one of the team’s seven-game winning goals. All of the forwards, with the 1 in when it comes to goals scored versus goals allowed when they were exception of Sven Andrighetto, Gabriel Bourque and Tyson Jost, linemates during the regular season. averaged less than 10 minutes. The Blues had 11 forwards who scored more than five points, while the Avs ended their campaign with six “Their details and their play within our structure and commitment to forwards who did the same. defend has to be really good and that’s the same for all of our players,” Bednar said. “It doesn’t matter if their first line, fourth line or somewhere “I know during the regular season some guys will want more and you in between. That is what it takes to win this time of year. You have to be push them for that, but when you get to the playoffs, everyone knows good defensively and those guys have a big responsibility, but I think their role,” Avalanche forward Matt Calvert said. “It’s so hard to score at those guys are ready for the challenge and they’re looking forward to it.” times in playoffs and it’s so hard to win. When you have four lines that can score and defend at the same time, and I am speaking for the Second line: Nazem Kadri, Gabriel Landeskog and Valeri Nichushkin forwards, it’s nice. It takes pressure off those top guys. It takes pressure What they provide: An argument could be made what Bednar is seeking off the third or fourth line to defend when you know your top line can shut to achieve by pairing Kadri, Landeskog and Nichushkin might provide the down. It’s a great mix and it’s fun going into the Stanley Cup playoffs with most insight as to why the coach felt the need to shuffle combinations the firepower we have.” during training camp. Placing those three together could hypothetically Bednar and the Avalanche will not know the final result for some time but form a line that uses quickness and size on one end to defend goals only here is a glance at how his current combinations are structured. and then parlay that dynamic into generating offensive chances.

First line: Andre Burakovsky, Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen Kadri’s reputation for being an aggressive two-way center is now paired with Landeskog’s prowess for being a physical yet defensively responsible winger. Those were the known factors, with the initial with Donny and Namestnikov, who I have been with for the last week or mystery being Nichushkin. His first season in Colorado has seen him go so and just trying to get this line playing with speed and intensity. I think from a sizable depth forward into someone who Bednar trusts in when we have all four lines going, like I’ve said before, we’re very deep defensive situations for the fact he can disrupt plays in either even and going to be tough to beat.” strength or short-handed sequences. Are there concerns?: Figuring out the dynamic between Compher, Placing all three together provides Bednar with a line that is capable of Donskoi and Namestnikov might arguably be one of the more challenging hogging possession to the point of exhaustion. Kadri has won 56.8 objectives Bednar faces with training camp drawing to a close. They percent of his faceoffs this season, according to Puckbase. His ability to have shared a whopping 1:37 in 5-on-5 ice time together, per Natural win draws potentially provides options. An offensive zone sequence Stat Trick. Compher and Namestnikov shared the ice for more than six could see the Avalanche win possession knowing all three are going to minutes, while Namestnikov had nearly 17 minutes playing next to work toward creating possession while leveraging opportunities to Donskoi. Whereas Compher and Donskoi have logged 240 minutes on retrieve pucks. It is also plausible those defensive zone situations could the ice together and are a plus-4. see the Avs quickly break out because of Kadri controlling the dot. Or, in the event Kadri loses a defensive zone faceoff, that line could Then comes the hypotheticals around how Compher will be used in the consistently check opponents into forcing turnovers while forcing other postseason. He is a natural center who Bednar has used to anchor a line teams into working to create a quality scoring chance. as a winger in numerous situations. The former University of Michigan star only made 42 percent of appearances in 2019-20 down the middle “I see us as a line that can be tough to play against, be heavy down low yet he finished fourth in faceoffs on the roster behind Bellemare, Kadri and create offense but be very responsible defensively,” Landeskog said. and MacKinnon. Compher won 47.7 percent of his 715 draws with the “I think it gives us another look and I think that is probably what the bulk of that success coming in 5-on-5 play where he captured a 49.6 coaching staff is looking for. Depending upon matchups and things like percent success rate. that, that’s always a good thing to have moving into a playoff run like this.” But there are questions regarding Donskoi’s defensive consistency. Donskoi’s final four seasons with the San Jose Sharks saw him finish Are there concerns?: One minute and 10 seconds. Sometimes, that is plus-219 in high-danger scoring chances for versus high-danger scoring how long a single shift can last whenever Landeskog is with MacKinnon chances against in 5-on-5 play. His first campaign with the Avalanche and Rantanen. In this case? That is exactly how much time Landeskog, has seen that figure dip to being a minus-39 in that particular category. Kadri and Nichushkin spent in the lineup together this season, according Colorado’s last 10 games before the pause was a continuation of those to Natural Stat Trick. Such a fact further amplifies what Bednar is struggles with Donskoi going minus-8 in addition to registering only five attempting to achieve with this specific configuration knowing they only points in his club’s last 25 contests. have a handful of practice left before departing to Edmonton. “I think running four good lines, it allows us to keep the possession in the Then again? It is not the first time Bednar has gone with a second line offensive zone and create penalties and create scoring chances shift that never played together this season. He did it when he paired after shift,” said Donskoi, who is one of six current Avalanche players Burakovsky and Kadri with Joonas Donskoi before injuries altered the who has reached a Stanley Cup final. “If somebody gets hurt, we get a lineup. Injuries along with consistent performances opened the door for new guy coming in and we know that we are going to have guys out of Nichushkin to play on the second line with Kadri. Together, they have the lineup who can play at this level and I think that is really important.” logged more than 168 minutes while outscoring opponents 15-to-1 in 5- on-5 play, according to Natural Stat Trick. Fourth line: Pierre-Edouard Bellemare, Matt Calvert and Matt Nieto

Landeskog has played nearly 59 minutes alongside Kadri while recording What they provide: Are we talking about when everyone is healthy? If so, close to 57 minutes with Nichushkin at various points in the regular then, the answer might be giving Bednar the most consistent fourth-line season. Kadri and Landeskog were a minus-5 in scoring chances for presence he has enjoyed during his four-year tenure with the Avalanche. versus scoring chances against yet did not allow a single goal in 5-on-5 Establishing a consistent fourth-line combination was a challenge during sequences. Meanwhile, the moments when Landeskog and Nichushkin the 2018-19 season. Bednar sifted through 36 different configurations were together led to them going plus-18 in scoring chances while also over an 82-game schedule. being a plus-6 in high-danger scoring chances. They also did not allow a Sakic made several moves in the offseason to bolster the Avalanche’s goal when they were on the ice at the same time. forward situation. One of those decisions was trading away Carl “It just gives us another look and obviously, I’ve played a lot with Nate Soderberg to then sign Bellemare to a two-year contract. All those and Mikko in the past,” Landeskog explained. “But Val and Naz, we’re corresponding choices meant Calvert and Nieto, who were third-line having a lot of fun playing together and they are two really high-quality wingers, would move to the fourth line where they would operate next to players. It’s fun and obviously, chemistry does not happen overnight. It’s Bellemare. something you have to constantly work on, but I see a lot of potential Placing Bellemare, Calvert and Nieto together hypothetically meant the between the three of us.” Avalanche possessed a fourth line that could both defend and score Third line: J.T. Compher, Joonas Donskoi and Vladislav Namestnikov goals. Bellemare set a new career-high in goals and points while being one of the oldest players in the league. Calvert was on pace for his first What they provide: Forging such a combination could offer the Avalanche 20-goal campaign until injuries derailed those plans, while Nieto pieced more possibilities than most might realize. It starts with the fact Compher, together a third-straight 20-point season while performing in a bottom-six Donskoi and Namestnikov could use their two-way prowess to create a role. line that can effectively check an opposing team’s top-six forwards. They also come with the promise of generating offensive scoring chances by “Each of our lines bring something different and we have the luxury of constantly attacking the low slot and net front. being one of the deepest teams in the playoffs,” Avalanche defenseman Ryan Graves said. “Up and down, I think we have the best fourth line in All three have shown a willingness to block shots and operate in a hockey right now with Belly, Calvy and Nieto. Honestly, up and down, I manner valued by Bednar. Compher led all Avalanche forwards with 60 think our lineup is deep. We have an attacking line with Nate and the blocked shots while Donskoi was third with 38 blocks. Namestnikov same with Naz’s line with Gabe and that third line is dynamic with Donny blocked a total of 47 attempts on net before he arrived at the NHL trade and Comph on it. Up and down we’re really deep. Then you got guys like deadline. Josty who are trying to work into it. He was so good that last two months when we had injuries and things like that. He’s a guy that deserves to Part of the reason why Sakic moved for Namestnikov was his ability to play but it’s (the) situation with us being so deep right now that it’s a good consistently grab goals from the interior. Nearly 90 percent of his goals problem to have.” during the 2019-20 campaign came from the low slot and/or net front, according to IcyData. He’s not alone. Compher had 90 percent of his Are there concerns?: Can the Avalanche stay healthy long enough for goals come from those areas, while Donskoi checked in at 77 percent Bednar to actually see what he has whenever Bellemare, Calvert and when it came to his return. Nieto are allowed to have the consistent minutes needed to operate as a unit? They only spent 141 minutes together this season because of “It is nice to have everyone back but we do know things get switched up injuries with the idea that three players who have combined to score 36 and guys’ roles get changed with different lines and we’ve been in this points across 96 playoff games, amounting to two Stanley Cup situation before,” Compher said. “Personally, it’s just trying to mesh well appearances between them could make the Avs even more formidable. Injuries alone are not the only question to consider. There is that matter of who Bednar deems to be a stronger fit on the fourth line between Nieto and Jost. Bednar used Jost in a fourth-line role for most of the season with the 2016 first-round pick gradually working his way into being a more reliable two-way player who was trusted in short-handed situations. Knowing Jost is capable of playing on the penalty kill could leave Bednar having to choose between the former University of North Dakota star and Nieto, who led the team’s forwards in short-handed minutes.

The overall belief is the fourth line would be used to defend top-six forward groups, while also adding to the notion that Bednar is fielding a four-line team. Bellemare and Calvert are expected to be critical pieces of that plan. So are Jost and Nieto. It is just a matter of determining which one gets.

“You look up and down our lineup and there are guys that have been in different scenarios,” Jost explained. “Guys with a ton of experience. We have a very deep lineup and that is huge in the playoffs. You look at any team that has won and they’ve all had that depth. That is something the Avs have right now. We’re excited. We’re excited to go into Edmonton and we know that we have a really good shot at this and that’s exciting as a team. But we know that the work is going to have to come first and that’s what we are doing here in training camp and that is going to lead into Edmonton, too.”

The Athletic LOADED: 07.21.2020 1188839 Colorado Avalanche

Avalanche’s Nazem Kadri is a big fan of NHL’s relaxed dress code. “I love the idea. I Love it.”

By Aarif Deen - July 20, 2020

As players for the 24 teams participating in the NHL’s summer playoff begin to transition to either hub city in Toronto or Edmonton next weekend, they’ll certainly have a lot to think about when it comes to packing for what could be a two-month-long playoff run. Rather than filling a suitcase with a bevy of stylish suits, players will have an opportunity to get unique with their dress code with the announcement of the NHL relaxing its more traditional dress code.

Avalanche center Nazem Kadri has always been one to wear a fancy suit and tie, often going above and beyond to look his best in preparation for a game. But the forward acquired from the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2019 has always loved the idea of being able to dress differently and uniquely to his own style.

“I love the idea,” Kadri said of the relaxed dress code. “I love it. The game has got to evolve with its players and this is a great way for players to show their personalities.”

Today’s top NHL players are not of the same ilk as what we’ve grown accustomed to in a sport that often pushes the logo on the front before the name on the back. Hockey has, for years, struggled to market its star players because of this perceived notion that everyone must conform to hockey culture. While that mentality has stuck with many, it is not the way of some of the league’s top young talent.

Kadri’s former teammate in Toronto, Auston Matthews, has long been an advocate for a relaxed dress code. The former first overall draft pick made headlines in the 2019 playoffs after choosing to wear a more, let’s call it unique suit before Game 7 against the Boston Bruins — one that consisted of a beanie, slip-on shoes, a black turtle neck and multiple shades of blue.

The man that has longed for the opportunity to put away the suits agreed with Kadri when asked about the new league policy.

“I’m really looking forward to it, honestly,” Matthews told reporters in Toronto. “It’ll be a pretty cool opportunity for guys to express themselves like other leagues are able to. At times, hockey can kind of fall behind as far as that stuff kind of goes.”

Even though the NHL has only agreed to relax the dress code for this year’s unique summer hockey tournament, it’s not hard to imagine that the league shifts to a more progressive dress code similar to the NBA, in future years. But for now, the NHL’s best will have two months to step into their own personal comfort zones when it comes to pre-game attire.

“As much as I like the suit idea and the tradition and how sharp it looks, I think this is a way for guys to express themselves and I’m certainly interested to see what guys have in store,” Kadri said. milehighsports.com LOADED: 07.21.2020 1188840 Columbus Blue Jackets

Blue Jackets set to play first game since shutdown

Adam Jardy

Jul 21, 2020 at 4:31 AM

One hundred thirty-five days have come and gone since the Blue Jackets had a post-dinner skate.

That comes to an end Tuesday night. For the first time since a March 8 win at Vancouver, the Blue Jackets will put on their jerseys and take the ice to play a game. It just happens to be against themselves and one that coach will help his players ramp up their preparations for an opening-round playoff series against Toronto that begins August 2.

"They haven’t played in the evening at all in 4 ½ months," Tortorella said after Monday’s practice that lasted roughly 2 ½ hours. "They’ll put the uniform on. I just want to simulate more of a game. We can’t bring refs in and all that stuff just because of how we have to close this all down, but we’re going to try to play a game."

The simulated game experience comes near the midpoint of the second week of what has amounted to training camp 2.0 as the NHL has worked toward resuming play following the suspension of the season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The plan is for it to be as realistic as possible, as Tortorella pointed out, while recognizing that it’s still going to be an intrasquad scrimmage.

The entire day will be scripted as if it was an actual game. Players will report to Nationwide Arena during the day, undergo a spit test for the virus, Watch video and then head home before returning to the rink in the evening. The usual 5:30 meeting won’t take place, Tortorella said, but customary pre-game warmups will take place leading into a 7 p.m. puck drop on the ice at the OhioHealth Ice Haus.

"I think it’ll be good," veteran defenseman Ryan Murray said. "You can do drills all day long, but when you get out there and start playing it’s just different. Playing the game is a lot funner than practicing so it’s good to have a game day."

Not all players are dealing with the same length of layoff. Forward Alexandre Texier was limited to 36 games this season, the last of which came on New Year’s Eve when he suffered a lumbar stress fracture that sidelined him indefinitely. He began working his way back onto the ice during the pandemic and is ready to play a game against anyone, he said, even if it’s against his teammates.

"It’s been a long time for me and I’m going to play my game, work hard and that’s all I’m going to do," he said. "You have to be careful and don’t’ hurt somebody, but we’re going to play physical and we want to win the game."

Given the unique situation the NHL is in, Tortorella has adjusted plans throughout camp to take into account how his players are progressing after having been away from the game for months. After Monday’s practice, Tortorella decided to cancel a Tuesday morning workout in order to try and freshen the guys up.

Murray is well-acquainted with a Tortorella camp, having been around for each since the coach was hired during the 2015-16 season. He’s noticed the effort being made by the coaching staff.

"You can train during the summer but until you get back here and start competing for real, it’s a different beast doing that," he said. "It’s pushing us and if we need a rest here or there, they’ve been smart with that too."

Tortorella cautioned against reading too much into the results from a single practice or scrimmage. That goes for Tuesday night’s scrimmage just as much as it does Monday’s disappointing one that saw a 6-0 final score.

"I wouldn’t change what we’ve done," he said Monday. "I’m happy with where we’re at. I thought (Monday) sucked, though."

Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 07.21.2020 1188841 Columbus Blue Jackets The Blue Jackets will participate in a mock gameday experience Tuesday with a full-on practice game set for 7 p.m. at the Ice Haus. They will then be off Wednesday.

Eric Robinson shines on otherwise tough day of Blue Jackets camp "I wouldn’t change what we’ve done (this camp)," Tortorella said. "I’m happy with where we’re at. I thought today sucked, though."

Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 07.21.2020 Adam Jardy

Jul 20, 2020 at 3:28 PM

The beauty was in the eye of the beholder at Monday’s Blue Jackets practice at the OhioHealth Ice Haus. After a lengthy practice session that approached 90 minutes, the Blue Jackets split into two teams for about a half-hour of full-on scrimmaging.

The final score: Blue Team 6, White Team 0.

"I thought today’s game sucked," coach John Tortorella said afterward. "Although one team beat another team 6-0, that team may say something different, I just didn’t like our energy level at all today."

Eric Robinson was the star of the scrimmage, scoring three of the final four goals on Joonas Korpisalo. When he ended the scrimmage with his goal, someone on the bench threw a Blue Jackets hat onto the ice in celebration as his teammates mimicked throwing their helmets on the ice as well.

His first goal made it a 4-0 lead and came after a White turnover on the blue line gave him a clear path to Korpisalo, who was unable to make the save. It also came moments after Boone Jenner hammered home a one- timer from Cam Atkinson, who was posted up behind the net as Jenner established position at the edge of the crease.

The Robinson and Jenner goals came after Gus Nyquist opened the scoring with a pair of goals. In discussing Nyquist after the scrimmage, Tortorella said, "You say ‘Gus,’ I say ‘pro.’ "

As for Robinson, Tortorella said, "You see his legs today in the scrimmage. He scores three goals, but prior to that he makes one little 2- foot pass and there was a nice cross-ice pass he made. It didn’t amount to a goal, but he had a good scrimmage today. Shawsie (assistant coach Brad Shaw) said he just looked more confident today."

Here were the starters:

Blue Team

Gus Nyquist-Boone Jenner-Cam Atkinson

Seth Jones-Zach Werenski

Elvis Merzlikins

White Team

Alexandre Texier-Pierre-Luc Dubois-Oliver Bjorkstrand

Vladislav Gavrikov-David Savard

Joonas Korpisalo

"I’ve had (Texier) on that left wing with (Dubois and Bjorkstrand), and they were just brutal today," Tortorealla said. "If Tex can play there, it can give me an opportunity to balance some lines out, but things are still up in the air as far as our lines are concerned."

Tortorella, while upset at the quality of the game, cautioned against reading too much into the outcome of any one day of practice.

"You’ve got to be really careful during these scrimmage games," he said. "You’re playing against a guy you’re having lunch with an hour after the practice."

Noteworthy

* Two forwards were on the official absence list. Nick Foligno was listed as "unable to practice," while Josh Anderson was officially listed as "unfit to play." No further details were provided.

* Foligno’s absence made the Jackets shift some lines. Liam Foudy, who had been skating on a line with Jenner and Foligno, skated with Devin Shore and .

Up next 1188842 Columbus Blue Jackets

Columbus Blue Jackets’ trip to Toronto comes at a cost for families

Adam Jardy

Jul 20, 2020 at 5:45 AM

The pursuit of a Stanley Cup is as familiar as a well-worn pair of hockey skates for a player such as Nick Foligno. This year, it’s the journey, not the ultimate goal, that will be decidedly different for the Blue Jackets captain, his teammates and their fellow players across the NHL.

In agreeing to return to the ice, go through team workouts and then eventually enter an artificial bubble while going through constant medical checks to guard against COVID-19, members of the 24 NHL teams that will open the postseason in early August are buying into a concept unlike any other in league history.

When the Blue Jackets head to Toronto on Sunday to begin the final phase of the league’s return-to-play plan, they will be saying goodbye to family and everyone else not on the official traveling roster for an unknown length of time. The Stanley Cup will be awarded in October.

Against the backdrop of a global pandemic, it can be a tough reality to face. So when Foligno, 32, made the decision to participate, he didn’t do it lightly or without making a promise to his children.

"This is a chance for me to realize my dream, and the sacrifices you make with your family I’m trying to make good on that and make sure it’s not for nothing," Foligno said last Monday, when the Jackets opened training camp. "That was kind of the promise I made to my kids: I’m going to come home with the Cup.

"Anything less will be a disappointment."

Not all players have the same family responsibilities. Foligno has three children and twice missed time last season while two of them dealt with medical conditions. His daughter Milana was born with a congenital heart issue, making avoiding the virus an even higher priority for his family.

Pierre-Luc Dubois, on the other hand, just turned 22 last month.

"I don’t have kids, but I can imagine how hard it must be for guys like (Foligno and other players with children)," he said. "Everybody’s dream is to win a Stanley Cup, and that’s why we’re here and what we’re working on."

Don’t call it a sacrifice, though. Coach John Tortorella bristled when the situation was presented to him in that manner.

"That’s a dangerous word, sacrifice," he said. "What’s going on in the worldwide health situation, there are a lot more people than us that are sacrificing a whole hell of a lot more with some of the things they have to go through to stay healthy. We’re fortunate."

That’s why when the Blue Jackets assembled for camp, Tortorella had a frank conversation with the players. They are permitted to opt out of participating in this event without penalty, although they would not receive bonuses related to the postseason or a salary during that time. A half-dozen NHL players have done so, none of them Blue Jackets.

The coach made it clear: If you want to opt out, you’re free to do so. But if you’re with us, you’re with us.

"We are very fortunate to be in this situation we’re in, to go play," Tortorella said. "We have a lot of people looking after us as far as our health as we get ready to play this. There are people in today’s world that are fighting just to figure out if they’re healthy right now. We’re not going to get involved in a situation of the drama of talking about it and worrying about this, that and the other thing."

In other words, it’s full speed ahead now. Just as Foligno promised.

Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 07.21.2020 1188843 Columbus Blue Jackets “I’m looking at guys who can bring that pace versus some other guys who may bring other things to the table,” Tortorella said. “I’m certainly looking at guys who can skate. In this series (against Toronto), that’s a very important thing that we need to see.” Why Josh Anderson has joined the Blue Jackets (and 4 other major observations) Foudy is a burner, quite possibly the fastest skater on the club. And Tortorella is paying close attention to him, pulling him aside for quick one-on-one chats already a few times in camp.

By Aaron Portzline Jul 20, 2020 The one question that has yet to be answered since Columbus drafted him in the first round (No. 18 overall) in 2018 is whether his hands and

skill set will ever catch up to his blazing boots. COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Blue Jackets have reached the midpoint of “We just want him to move his legs at all times,” Tortorella said. “I’ve training camp 2.0. They have one week in the books and six days been concentrating a lot with him offensively. … When he starts looking remaining before they leave for Toronto to join the bubble and prepare to make a play, he stops skating. I want to see him beat people. I want to for the qualifying round. see him carry the puck more, and then maybe players will work off that. It can be tricky to make hard-and-fast observations in a training camp He’s a bright kid. He understands the play away from the puck. setting, but we took notes — mental and otherwise — from the first week. “The best opportunity for him to crack that lineup is to show us that speed Here are some observations and ruminations as the NHL’s return-to-play all the time.” comes into focus: Foudy had trouble finding ice time and a gym for workouts back home in 1. Josh Anderson arrives Canada. He bought weights so he and his younger brother could train For the last few days, right winger Josh Anderson has been out on the during the layoff. practice rink for a morning twirl with assistant coaches well ahead of the But he headed to Columbus in early June to be part of the small-group club’s regularly scheduled practices. He traveled here from Canada early Phase 2 workouts at Nationwide Arena. last week. The Blue Jackets made it clear to Foudy that if the NHL season was able The next hurdle is for Anderson’s surgically repaired shoulder to be to restart, they wanted him in the mix. cleared for contact, and the club has offered no timeline for that. There are no indications that the Blue Jackets expect him to play against the “That was huge because I have a few friends — other junior friends — Maple Leafs in the best-of-five qualifying series. who have nothing to do until whenever next season starts. So they have a while to go. Even so, the Blue Jackets wanted him in Columbus — rather than simply meeting him when they arrive north of the border on July 26 — because “Having Jarmo call me and Torts call me as well, it was huge knowing of the NHL’s bubble policy. that I had an opportunity to come here. It was definitely extra motivation going through that tough time (pandemic).” “The rules have changed and been modified, and now the final version of them is that he’d have to quarantine for seven days outside the bubble, Now that he’s here, he can almost sniff a lineup spot in the qualifying getting tested every other day, and then quarantine for four more days round. and get tested every day in the bubble,” Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekäläinen said. “I have him with Jens and Nick right now,” Tortorella said. “I’m not sure if it stays that way or not.” “That means 11 days with no skating, and I don’t think that’s the best possible way for him to join the team, so this is the course of action we The answer came Monday. When Columbus took the ice, Foudy was on took.” a line with Devin Shore and Riley Nash.

This way, Anderson won’t face 11 days of inaction upon entering the “I want to give him every opportunity to make this team … because of his bubble, and the Blue Jackets can get him into the lineup immediately speed,” Tortorella said. “We’re playing a very fast hockey club. We need once he’s cleared to play. to get as much speed into our lineup as we possibly can.”

“This way he can skate every day, skate with the extras when we get to 3. A surprising pace the bubble,” Kekäläinen said. “He’ll get treatment there, and when he’s With no access to NHL rinks (unless they were rehabilitating an injury) ready to play, he’s ready to play.” and most public gyms closed indefinitely on both sides of the border, Anybody who watched the Blue Jackets’ first-round series sweep against many players — like Foudy — had to find new ways to stay in shape Tampa Bay last spring knows the impact Anderson can make on a game during the pause. and how vital he is to the team’s physical, forechecking style. Blue Jackets director of high performance Nelson Ayotte provided He had surgery in early March and was given a 4-6 month recovery players with old-school, no-equipment workouts they could do around timeline, which, at the time, appeared to end his season. But the long their houses or apartments, and several players started running to stay break since the COVID-19 pandemic struck has given Anderson new aerobically fit. hope to play against this summer. “I didn’t know what to expect” when it came to the players’ fitness, Anderson is set to be a restricted free agent on Nov. 1. Tortorella said. But from the start of camp, the pace has been impressive. Despite Anderson being in Columbus for several days now, Blue Jackets coach John Tortorella said he hadn’t spoken yet to Anderson and hadn’t “I don’t see anybody in our group that you could say, ‘Oh my god. What received any information on Anderson’s projected return from the training the hell has he been doing for the past four months?'” Kekäläinen said. staff. “Everybody showed up in good shape. Nobody’s fallen behind the pace in practices or scrimmages.” “I don’t know how he is, so … ” Tortorella said. “I’m more concentrated on the team right now. I haven’t talked to anybody about where he is as Tortorella has given the players some intense skating drills on three of far as healthwise.” the six practice days, but it has been nothing like a typical training camp. One reason is he doesn’t want to crush them too close to the start of the 2. Need for speed lands on Foudy qualifying round.

Through one week, rookie winger Liam Foudy — with just two NHL The other? They haven’t needed it. games under his belt — is hanging on a line with left wing Nick Foligno and center Boone Jenner. Tortorella said he’s going to give Foudy “every “It’s the eyeball test, but I like what I see,” Tortorella said. “You can be in opportunity to make this team.” really good shape, but if you haven’t played with a puck in four months … those are the things I’m looking for. I like our execution. That’s how concerned the Blue Jackets are with the Maple Leafs’ ability to skate and play in transition. “I think what helped was Phase 2 (the small-group voluntary workouts in June). I certainly see some difference in the Phase 2 guys versus the guys who just came in (right before camp). Some guys weren’t here for that.”

4. Cuts are coming

The Blue Jackets’ training camp roster has 34 players, including Anderson — 19 forwards, 11 defensemen and four goaltenders. They’ll need to make three cuts before they leave for Toronto on July 26.

Look for the cuts to be made on Friday or Saturday, Kekäläinen said.

Will it be one player from each position? An 18-forward, 10-defenseman, three-goaltender roster seems like a good mix for many clubs, allowing two extra forward lines, two extra defensive pairs and a third-string goaltender.

One could surmise that Kole Sherwood and Ryan MacInnis are on the bubble at forward, while and Gabriel Carlsson are fighting for the final spot defensively. Veini Vehviläinen would seem to be the odd man out at goaltender.

Columbus will wait until the end of the week before sending anybody home, Kekäläinen said. The picture could change if injuries occur. Call that a lesson learned from the regular season, when the Jackets led the NHL with 419 man-games lost.

5. Korpisalo, Merzlikins … the battle

They’ve been friendly since they were roommates years ago at a Blue Jackets development camp, and they’ve been friends since Merzlikins moved to Columbus more than a year ago to start his new life in the NHL.

But Joonas Korpisalo and Elvis Merzlikins are in a battle that now stands as the biggest story in training camp. So far, the Blue Jackets aren’t shedding any light on which goaltender will start against the Leafs on Aug. 2.

It’s really difficult (and perhaps unfair) to make a read on either of these guys during practice. Korpisalo appeared to have a rough first day of camp last week, but he has looked more like himself since then.

The intrasquad scrimmages are where the separation will occur.

“I’m not sure who’s going to start this series because they’re both deserving of it,” Tortorella said. “I have to go on what they look like now. I’m going to lean on (goaltending coach) Manny (Legace). I have to go on that. Right now it’s a coin toss.

“It’ll come down to that decision when we get close to Aug. 2.”

Legace, who played 11 seasons in the NHL with Los Angeles, Detroit, St. Louis and Carolina, has been barred by Tortorella from speaking to the media.

Neither Merzlikins nor Korpisalo has ever appeared in an NHL playoff game, so there’s a touch of trepidation heading into the qualifying round and postseason.

“I was worried going into the (regular) season, and if somebody else in this organization says they weren’t, they’re lying to you,” Tortorella said. “I’m not questioning how they’re going to handle it. I’m anxious to see who steps up and takes it.

“I feel better about this situation (the postseason) — it being new to them — than I did about it being new to them in the regular season.”

The Athletic LOADED: 07.21.2020 1188844 Dallas Stars a second training camp. He also said he added 10 pounds after two months in the gym.

At this point in camp, Harley is, at best, the No. 9 defenseman on the Defensive improvement needed for Thomas Harley to make NHL debut Stars’ roster. Since the practice groups were split into NHL contributors during Stars’ postseason run and the taxi squad, Harley has been with the taxi squad, behind the eight NHL-level defensemen. Along with Gavin Bayreuther and Dillon Heatherington, Harley is competing to join the Stars in Edmonton during the postseason. By Matthew DeFranks If Harley (or Ty Dellandrea) plays 10 or more games in the postseason, 6:57 PM on Jul 20, 2020 CDT the Stars would burn a year of their entry-level contracts. It would also mean that Harley or Dellandrea played well enough to deserve 10 games and that the Stars advanced far enough to play 10 games. For Thomas Harley to reach the NHL, it will not be about accentuating his strengths. It will be about improving his weaknesses. Day Date Opponent TV Time

Harley, the Stars’ 18-year-old top prospect and 2019 first-round draft Thursday July 30 x-Nashville FSSW 3:00 pick, is participating in his second training camp of the season in Dallas, Monday August 3 Vegas FSSW 5:30 having already opened eyes during preseason camp in September. Now, as part of postseason training camp, he will be trying to make his NHL Wednesday August 5 Colorado FSSW 5:30 debut during the Stars’ postseason run next month in Edmonton. Sunday August 9 St. Louis TBD TBD “Throughout the year, they told me how well I defend is going to determine when I get to play in the NHL,” Harley said. “I’ve been really x-exhibition game. All games will take a place at Rogers Place in focusing on that during the year and at this camp. Hopefully, I can do it Edmonton. well enough that they give me a shot.” The Dallas Stars opened postseason training camp at the Comerica Harley is an offensive defenseman by nature. He likes to skate with the Center, Monday July 13, 2020 in Frisco, Texas. The Dallas team was puck, and during a drill Sunday in which a defenseman had to fend off together in the same building for the first time Monday since the NHL two forecheckers, he oftentimes was able to skate the puck out of went on hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic. trouble. Dallas Morning News LOADED: 07.21.2020 He looks for stretch passes, and he was called for icing during Sunday’s scrimmage after he missed a long pass from behind his own net. He has the hands to finish chances, as he did during 3-on-3 play Sunday with a pretty backhand past Anton Khudobin that Harley called “a confidence boost.”

His offensive skills — plus his 6-3 frame and above-average skating ability — made him the No. 18 pick last year. In September, he was one of the last nine defensemen remaining in training camp before the Stars sent him to the Hockey League to play for Mississauga. In Mississauga, Harley posted 18 goals and 39 assists in 59 games.

The defensive side of the puck is where the Stars are asking for improvement. As with any offensive defenseman (such as John Klingberg), Harley can be prone to turnovers that result in chances and goals for the opposing team. He has room to improve defending the rush and with his positioning along the boards, as assistant coach John Stevens pointed out during a drill last week.

“Defending, I’m definitely thinking more,” Harley said. “That doesn’t come as naturally to me as offense. So I’m constantly scanning and constantly trying to make sure I’m in the right position to make the right play.”

During training camp in September, Rick Bowness — then the assistant coach in charge of defensemen, and now the team’s interim head coach — sat with Harley to break down video from preseason games, showing him “a couple opportunities that I had to make a play on defense, and I just backed off,” Harley said.

The coaching staff hasn’t done that with Harley this training camp, so how does he learn to defend better?

“Just 1-on-1 battle drills, guys coming down on me off the rush, just learning where to put your stick, how to angle your feet a little better to stop pucks coming across,” Harley said. “And then it’s just a lot of positioning. The only way you can learn that is just to do it well, and then do right for the rest of the time.”

Harley said he watched Esa Lindell during 2-on-1 drills to further appreciate Lindell’s defensive acumen (and also praised Klingberg for how he was able to get shots off quickly through traffic).

“I think I maybe stopped one of five, and then I watched Esa go down and he stops four of five, and it’s incredible what he does,” Harley said. “I’m definitely trying to watch him whenever he’s on the ice.”

During a normal postseason, Harley likely wouldn’t be a consideration to play in NHL playoff games. He would have typically joined AHL affiliate Texas and finished his regular season in Cedar Park. But a four-month break because of the coronavirus pandemic allowed him to participate in 1188845 Dallas Stars camp. Nick was a second-round pick by the Maple Leafs last year and led the OHL with 55 goals. The previous season, Jason led the OHL in scoring with 117 points.

How Stars prospects plan to spend down time during training camp, “I know he’s talked to me about how well he’s been doing up there,” playoff run Jason said. “I’ve been kind of comparing our practices, our workouts. It’s kind of similar the way he’s training up there, how I’m down here, although the weather is kind of different.”

By Matthew DeFranks A year older

9:19 PM on Jul 20, 2020 CDT Both Robertson and Dellandrea will be celebrating birthdays in the coming days, the first time they can remember the days falling during

hockey season. Stars prospects will have a leg up on the rest of their teammates: They’ll Robertson turns 21 on Wednesday. Dellandrea turns 20 on Tuesday. have already experienced living in a hotel amid the coronavirus pandemic. “I can cross this one off the list,” Robertson said. “Might not ever happen again, but it’s kind of something different.” Unlike the majority of the Stars’ roster, who own houses or rent apartments in Dallas, prospects are staying in a hotel throughout the two- “Never really have I been anywhere else [than my family’s cottage] for week training camp and will be staying in a hotel during their time in that time, so it’s weird being here,” Dellandrea said. “But it’s an incredible Edmonton. If the Stars advance to the Stanley Cup Final, it means opportunity and it’s been real special to be down here and competing.” prospects such as Jason Robertson, Ty Dellandrea and Thomas Harley could be living out of a suitcase for 12 weeks. Dallas Stars' Thomas Harley skates during the second period of an NHL preseason against the St. Louis Blues hockey game Tuesday, Sept. 24, Robertson described the process as “repetitive.” 2019, in St. Louis.

“You come to the rink, we’re always in the second group, so the first Dallas Morning News LOADED: 07.21.2020 group will go out there,” Robertson said. “Come in around noonish, maybe a little bit earlier to get tested. I just come back here, maybe take a nice hot bath because there’s not much to do, just play video games.”

Robertson spent the four-month break because of the coronavirus pandemic initially working out in Los Angeles before flying to Michigan to get ice time in May. He drove to Dallas from Michigan and is now eyeing a new way to spend his downtime.

“One, I know that you’ve got to become a golfer if you want to be a pro player,” Robertson said. “Picked up some golf clubs myself.”

To hockey players, golf is a prime way to spend their time. Tyler Seguin and participated in a celebrity golf tournament together last summer. Pavelski was named the league’s best golfer by the NHLPA this year. And Texas affords players the ability to play nearly year-round.

Dellandrea said packing for a possible 12-week sojourn was easy and that he didn’t bring much to entertain himself — besides his golf clubs. Harley said he’s “not a big golfer, although I might have to start, seeing how much these guys golf.”

During training camp, Dellandrea said Joel Hanley, Jake Oettinger, Gavin Bayreuther and Nick Caamano have often gone golfing. Dellandrea picked up golf last summer when a groin injury meant he couldn’t skate but could swing a club, he said. Robertson has hit the driving range but doesn’t “know if I’ll ever get on the course with the fellas here. Don’t really want to stand out too bad.”

“I know a bunch of the other guys go to the golf course a lot, and that’s all they talk about really in the locker room,” Robertson said. “Try to stay in the loop.”

Otherwise, Robertson and Harley have resorted to video games to stay busy.

“Take a nap, play some video games, eat food and do it all over again,” Harley said.

Pandemic project

During the break, Dellandrea lived with his family in Port Perry, Ontario. He didn’t have to go far to work out. Dellandrea’s father, Jay, built a home gym in his garage.

“He’s incredibly handy at whatever it comes to: renovating our cottages or doing stuff around the house or even on our vehicles,” Dellandrea said. “He can do it all, I think he gets that from his dad. I know a little bit, but nothing like he does.”

Dellandrea said he also spent time in Burlington, Ontario, working with power skating coach Ashlea Jones.

Brother act

As he goes through training camp with the Stars, Robertson can share his experience with his younger brother, Nick, who is in Toronto’s training 1188846 Dallas Stars Harley hasn’t headed to the course yet; the 18-year-old is spending time most of his time “taking a nap, playing video games, eating food and doing it all over again.”

Inside the Dallas Stars’ rite of passage: playing golf with prospects Considering where he’s been drafted, it’s good bet golf will be added to that routine sooner than later.

The Athletic LOADED: 07.21.2020 By Sean Shapiro Jul 20, 2020

Thomas Harley isn’t a golfer.

If he has the future the Dallas Stars are expecting from the 2019 first- round pick, that’ll likely change.

“I might have to start,” Harley said, “seeing how much these guys golf.”

Golf is a big part of the typical hockey player lifestyle. It’s a leisure activity that involves similar muscle groups to shooting a puck, and it’s the go-to social activity for NHL players in Dallas as well as AHL players down in Cedar Park.

It’s one of the perks of playing in Texas that hockey players enjoy, and this has been used as a pitch to unrestricted free agents. NHL players can play golf year-round in Dallas.

When Corey Perry and Joe Pavelski played their 1,000th career games, the gift from teammates was a golf trip.

Pavelski has been voted the NHL’s best golfer by his peers, getting 15.84 percent of the vote in the 2019-20 NHLPA player’s poll. Pavelski and Tyler Seguin both played in the Lake Tahoe celebrity golf tournament last summer and likely would have played in 2020 if there weren’t a pandemic.

Stephen Johns puts on a golf tournament each year in Pennsylvania and often spends time in the offseasons hitting practice shots outside his hometown of Wampum.

Veterans like Stars captain Jamie Benn have used golf as a way to welcome teammates and get to know some of their younger peers. This happens in both Dallas and Cedar Park, where the Texas Stars have partnerships with golf courses that set up free rounds for minor leaguers.

Justin Dowling, who spent seven seasons in Texas, said before he got married he would golf at least “three to four times a week” in Austin, depending on the AHL schedule.

Golf means so much to the Stars players that when Jason Dickinson was fielding questions from teammates as the NHLPA rep about the bubble life in Edmonton, one of the most frequent queries was “Will I be able to golf?”

Young players like Harley are learning rather quickly that being a pro hockey player in Texas means spending considerable time on the links.

Jason Robertson had never golfed before he joined the Texas Stars last season. He’s still a novice but has purchased clubs and is still working on the driving range before graduating, likely next week, to playing with teammates.

When he was asked about how life was different as a pro compared to junior hockey, Robertson said, “One, you’ve got to be a golfer if you want to be a pro player.”

Ty Dellandrea picked up golf about a year ago when he had a groin injury but was still able to do upper-body workouts.

“I just started swinging the club a bit and got into this hobby,” Dellandrea said. “Got a set of clubs, and I had a lot of time on my hands.”

That turn of events put him on the fast track to socialization with future Stars teammates. Dellandrea brought his clubs to Dallas for training camp and has been playing with teammates like Jake Oettinger, Gavin Bayreuther, Nick Caamano and Joel Hanley. Hanley is considered one of the better golfers in camp, and he was often one of the first picks when the AHL team would play in Cedar Park this season.

“We’ve played a couple of rounds. We’ve been diligent about the rules (with social distancing and COVID-19),” Dellandrea said. “But it’s been good to get out a couple of times.” 1188847 Detroit Red Wings

Two Detroit Red Wings from 1989 draft made history with these NHL awards

Helene St. James, Detroit Free PressPublished 1:04 p.m. ET July 20, 2020 | Updated 4:08 p.m. ET July 20, 2020

One award has a deep history with the franchise and two picks from the 1989 draft have history with both awards.

The NHL is rolling out its 2020 trophy finalists. The league announced Monday that the finalists for the James Norris Memorial Trophy, awarded to the league's top defenseman, are John Carlson of the Washington Capitals, Victor Hedman of the Tampa Bay Lightning and Roman Josi of the Nashville Predators. The finalists for the Frank J. Selke Trophy, given to the top defensive forward, are Patrice Bergeron of the Boston Bruins, Sean Couturier of the Philadelphia Flyers and Ryan O’Reilly of the St. Louis Blues.

In this edition of Detroit Red Wings Revisited, we look back at the team’s history with the awards.

The Norris is named for James E. Norris, who in 1932 purchased a hockey club called the Detroit Falcons and renamed the team the Red Wings. The trophy was first awarded in 1954, two years after Norris’ death. It was presented by Norris’ children, which included Marguerite, who was president of the team from her father’s death until 1955, and Bruce Norris, who succeeded Marguerite as president and was the driving force behind the sale of the team to Mike Ilitch in 1982, which ended 50 years of Norris ownership.

The first recipient was the Wings’ own Red Kelly. He was runner-up in 1955 and second runner-up in 1956, losing both years to of the Montreal Canadiens. Harvey would go on to win the Norris seven times, one short of Boston Bruins great ’s record eight (Orr’s were consecutive, from 1968-75).

The trophy did not go to a Wings player again until 1995, when it was awarded to Paul Coffey. Vladimir Konstantinov (culled from the 1989 draft) was runner-up to Brian Leetch in 1997, but soon after that, one Wings defenseman's name became synonymous with the Norris trophy.

After finishing as runner-up from 1998-2000 (to, respectively, Rob Blake, Al MacInnis and Chris Pronger), Nicklas Lidstrom — a third-round pick from the 1989 draft — took home the Norris three straight years from 2001-2003, and another three from 2006-2008. He was second-runner up in 2009, and, in 2011 — at age 41 — won his seventh and last, tying Harvey.

Since 1997, only two other defensemen have won the Norris more than once — Erik Karlsson and Duncan Keith each have two.

The Selke, which, like the Norris, is also voted on by members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association, dates to 1978.

It was Lidstrom’s fellow pick from the 1989 draft, fourth-rounder Sergei Fedorov, who was the first Wings player to win the Selke, in 1994 (he was runner-up in 1992). Fedorov won again in 1996, the same year Steve Yzerman was second runner-up. Yzerman won the Selke in 2000, and Kris Draper in 2004.

Pavel Datsyuk won the Selke in 2008, beating out fellow “Eurotwin” (a nickname bestowed by Draper during the 2002-03 season) Henrik Zetterberg, who finished third in voting. Datsyuk won the trophy again in ’09 and ’10 and finished third in voting from 2011-13.

Detroit Free Press LOADED: 07.21.2020 1188848 Detroit Red Wings his oldest son who played seven years in the NHL with 17 goals and 49 points with the Canadiens, Winnipeg Jets and Washington Capitals.

After starting the stickhandling schools in 1971 which eventually Michigan hockey pioneer Real Turcotte helped develop generations of expanded into more than 80 cities in the U.S. and more than a dozen NHL stars cities in Canada, Turcotte coached the Lansing Lancers in the now defunct International Hockey League in 1974-75 and he was the owner, GM and coach of the Nanaimo Islanders in the in 1982-83. Mark Falkner, The Detroit NewsPublished 11:56 a.m. ET July 20, 2020 | Updated 4:40 a.m. ET July 21, 2020 "I was on that Nanaimo team and he sold me to Portland around Christmas for $25,000, two players and two conditional draft picks," said

Alfie Turcotte, who went on to win a Memorial Cup with Boston Bruins The last line of Real Turcotte's obituary was a fitting epitaph for one of power forward and future Hall of Famer Cam Neely. "He needed money Michigan's hockey pioneers. to pay bills for the buses and expenses. My mom wasn't too happy. I don't think she talked to him for a month." "The family ... would like to remind you to 'practice your moves 10 minutes a day.'" Influenced by watching skilled players like Canadiens icons Jean Beliveau and Rocket Richard and puck-possession teams like the Turcotte, a former Michigan State forward who designed a systematic Anatoly Tarasov-coached Red Army teams in the 1970s, Turcotte broke approach to teaching skills like stickhandling and puck control at his down their best moves on ice, frame by frame, figuring out the skills hockey schools in the state and across the country for nearly 50 years needed to perform each move. His book published in 1985, "Search for and who helped develop generations of American stars in the National the Lost Art," is still required reading for skills coaches. Hockey League, died June 15, 2020, at age 79 of congestive heart failure. "He would get mad if we dumped the puck in," said younger son Jeff Turcotte, who played for the in the Ontario Hockey "He would be on the Mount Rushmore of hockey school coaches," said League and the Hampton Roads Admirals in the East Coast League Waterford's Pat Lafontaine, a high-scoring center before coaching in Los Angeles and guiding the L.A. Junior Kings to 16 who had 468 goals and 1,013 points in 15 years with the New York California Amateur Hockey Association state championships and six trips Islanders, Buffalo Sabres and New York Rangers. to the USA Hockey national championships.

Waterford's Pat Lafontaine, right, and former Red Wings captain Danny "Why give the puck away, he would say. That's why he liked watching the Gary give the thumbs-up during a news conference to announce the . That was the way the game should be played, in his eyes. retirement of their Sabres jersey numbers at the HSBC Arena in Buffalo Control the puck and you control the tempo. When I came back to in 2005. Michigan last month, I grabbed one of his straight Titan sticks. He wanted to handle the puck on both the forehand and backhand. That's the way "Real was ahead of his time. He knew the value of learning how to feel my dad was. Every detail mattered." like the puck was second nature on your stick, how to roll your wrists, to keep your head up, to make better reads, better passes. He was at the Oak Park's Mike Nodler has worked for the Turcotte hockey schools for forefront of bringing highly developed skills to the sport in this country." 30 years, including the last 20 years as head instructor in the summer along with his regular job as a speech pathologist. He said Turcotte's Lafontaine said he constantly practiced those moves at the Real Turcotte experience as a high school math teacher, passion for learning and Stickhandling School and on the Turcotte-coached 1981-82 Compuware detailed approach to teaching made it easy for Karmanos "to just stand team, arguably the greatest midget team in Michigan hockey history. The back and let him do his thing." team went 80-2 with a 60-game winning streak, and Lafontaine had 175 goals and 324 points, nearly four points per game. Seven players on that "I was talking to my wife when he passed away and I said Real was one team were drafted by NHL teams (Lafontaine/Islanders, Al Iafrate/Maple of the most genuine, super nice people I've ever met," said Nodler, Leafs, Alfie Turcotte/Canadiens, Jeff Rohlicek/Canucks, Dave whose son Josh attended and taught at the stickhandling schools and is Sikorski/Red Wings, Jerry Pawlowski/Whalers and Jim now a sophomore on the Michigan State hockey team and draft choice of Andonoff/Rangers). the Calgary Flames. "He was always upbeat. He'd come into a room and you just knew something good was happening. He was humble, kind and "I remember having a discussion with Real about hockey and his an absolute legend in the hockey world." philosophy on teaching kids," said Hall of Fame builder Pete Karmanos, the owner and manager of the record-setting Compuware team and the Alex Turcotte is the third generation of hockey-playing Turcottes and the architect of the Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes in 2006. highest NHL-drafted family member. Selected fifth overall by the Kings last year after recording 125 points in two years with USA Hockey's "He said, 'Pete, don't you understand something?' I said, 'What's that, National Team Development Program in Plymouth, he's been spending Real?' He said, 'I would rather win a game 8-7 than 2-1.' He was more extra time during the pandemic with his grandmother in Commerce and focused on skills and what the kids were doing offensively. The rest of preparing for his first pro season with Los Angeles without "one of the the stuff, you can learn how to play defense. Teaching people how to biggest influences in my life" and "the reason I am the player I am today." handle the puck and all the offensive instincts you need, that's not something you're going to do overnight." "We were really close and this has been hard on everyone," Alex Turcotte said. "When I was 12 or 13 years old, my dream was to play in Turcotte, who was born in East Angus, Quebec, in 1940, began his the NHL, as crazy as it sounds. He could've said, 'Do you know how hard hockey career in the Montreal Canadiens' junior system and played it is or I might need another job.' He went along with it. He dreamed with briefly with the 1956-57 Ottawa-Hull Canadiens coached by Scotty me. Looking back, it was pretty awesome and I'm grateful he got to see Bowman, who led the Red Wings to three Stanley Cups (1997, 1998, me drafted. I miss him every single day." 2002). The list of NHL players who've been influenced by Turcotte's hockey With few available jobs in the six-team NHL and the Canadiens in the schools includes Hall of Famer Mike Modano, 55-goal scorer Jimmy midst of four straight championships in the late '50s, Turcotte, a 5-foot-8- Carson and three-time Stanley Cup champion Patrick Kane, who inch, 165-pound forward, moved to East Lansing and played four years attended the expanded schools in Buffalo before joining the Chicago for coach Amo Bessone and the Michigan State Spartans and earned a Blackhawks. bachelor’s degree in mathematics and later a master’s degree in physiology. Lafontaine though says Turcotte's legacy should be more than his hockey schools and the star-studded cast of American stars who have He led the Spartans in scoring in his sophomore season with 15 goals arrived in the NHL after the United States' gold-medal performance at the and 43 points in 26 games and still shares the school record for most 1980 Olympics in Lake Placid. assists (6) and most points (9) in one game against Ohio State at the old Demonstration Hall in East Lansing on Feb. 17, 1961. He credits two other coaches on the ground-breaking Compuware team who just passed away (Jack Bowkus and Asa Smith) and says Turcotte "My dad turned down an AHL contract with Detroit for $12,000 because also taught them "life lessons and character development" about he could make $2,000 more teaching high school," said Alfie Turcotte, "assisting others" and that it's "not always about scoring goals and winning."

"I believe there are three key mentors in your life: parents, coaches, teachers," said Lafontaine, who consults with the NHL on grassroots issues for developing minor hockey. "Real was our coach and teacher and he helped open the door for boys and girls to dream bigger.

"I can remember our Compuware team going up into Canada and, by the end of the tournament, the stands were packed and they would be saying, 'Who are these Americans?' That team and our coach was a stepping stone and laid a foundation for a lot of players and teams to come."

Real Turcotte glance

►Who: Real Turcotte

►Birthplace: East Angus, Quebec

►Born: Sept. 25, 1940

►Died: June 15, 2020

►Hockey schools: Started the Real Turcotte Hockey Schools in Michigan in 1971. Graduates include Hockey Hall of Famers Pat Lafontaine and Mike Modano. Schools expanded to more than 80 U.S. cities and more than a dozen cities in Canada.

►Hockey family: Son Alfie was the 17th overall pick by Montreal in 1983. Son Jeff played for the Toronto Marlboros in the OHL from 1986-89. Grandson Alex was the fifth overall draft pick by Los Angeles in 2019.

►Local connection: Recorded 94 points in 74 career games in four years with Michigan State. Shares the school record for most assists (6) and most points (9) in one game against Ohio State in 1961. Lived in East Lansing, Milford, Commerce.

►Quote: "Real was ahead of his time with puckhandling skills," said John Lafontaine, the younger brother of Pat Lafontaine and the hockey coach at Cranbrook high school. "Now all the kids coming into the NHL look they went to the Real Turcotte Hockey School."

Detroit News LOADED: 07.21.2020 1188849 Detroit Red Wings A. The more players they have with scoring potential the better. They could have their choice of four forwards with high-end offensive potential in wingers Cole Perfetti, Lucas Raymond and Alexander Holtz and center Marco Rossi. Red Wings’ drafting position raises many questions, possibilities Perfetti (Saginaw, OHL) isn’t the fastest skater but competes hard as a puck-hound and has tremendous vision and hockey sense. Rossi (Ottawa, OHL) is a playmaker who is elusive and shifty, through not an Posted Jul 20, 2020 explosive skater. By Ansar Khan Raymond (Frolunda, ) is a slick puck-handler and passer with good hands. Holtz (Djurgardens) is considered a pure sniper, the best goal-scorer of the bunch. If the Detroit Red Wings had won the draft lottery, there would be no questions regarding their selection. Size might be a concern with Rossi (5-9), Perfetti (5-10) and Raymond (5-10). Holtz is 6-foot. It would be Alexis Lafreniere, the consensus choice to go first overall. A team that loses in the qualifying round of the playoffs and wins the Q. Any chance the Red Wings will take goaltender Yaroslav Askarov? second phase of the NHL draft lottery on Aug. 10 will get the highly A. Askarov could alleviate the organization’s goaltending concerns for talented left wing from Rimouski of the Quebec League. many seasons. But is No. 4 too high a pick to risk on a goalie? It is If the Red Wings gained the second pick, there would be a great debate generally more difficult to project how a goalie will pan out at the highest about whether general manager Steve Yzerman should select big center level as opposed to a skater, and goaltenders take longer to develop (the Quinton Byfield of Sudbury (OHL) or fast-skating, flashy winger Tim Red Wings drafted Jimmy Howard in 2003 and he didn’t become their Stuetzle of Mannheim (Germany). No. 1 until November of 2009).

If the Red Wings were drafting third, their decision would be made for Askarov (SKA St. Petersburg, ) is considered the top goaltending them by the team selecting second – they likely would take whoever is prospect to come along in many years. His stock might have declined a available between Byfield and Stuetzle. bit following a mediocre showing at the World Juniors (2.77 goals-against average, .877 save percentage), but many still expect he will be taken in But the Red Wings will select fourth in a draft tentatively scheduled for the top 10. Oct. 9-10. And that is where the guessing game begins. It has been 17 years, however, since a goalie was selected in the top Here are some lingering questions about what the Red Wings might do four – Marc-Andre Fleury to Pittsburgh first overall in 2003. Only four with their highest pick since 1990: others in the history of the draft have been selected in the top four (Michel Plasse, Rick DiPietro, Kari Lehtonen and ). Q. What are the chances that Byfield or Stuetzle is available at No. 4? Yzerman pulled a surprise by selecting Seider last year. Askarov would A. It would be a major surprise, much more so than in 2018 when Filip be a bigger surprise. He might prefer to draft someone who can provide Zadina unexpectedly dropped to No. 6 for Detroit. help sooner. The Los Angeles Kings, selecting second, could have Byfield, who has Q. Should the Red Wings explore trading down? been likened to Pittsburgh Penguins star Evgeni Malkin. Byfield (6-4, 215) is a two-way center with soft hands and good vision, able to play A. If they have several players rated fairly equal in the No. 4 to No. 10 with power or finesse. He tallied 32 goals and 82 points in 45 OHL range and they can acquire a good asset to move down a few spots, then games this past season. they should consider it. However, it seems unlikely that there will be a player at No. 4 that a team selecting a few spots lower would want that Or the Kings could take Stuetzle. At 6-foot, 187, he is described as desperately to relinquish a good asset to obtain. possibly the fastest skater in the draft, someone who makes plays at top speed and is more of a facilitator than a shooter at this stage of his Q. What are the chances the Red Wings’ top pick earns a roster spot in career. 2020-21?

The , who select third (a pick obtained from San Jose) A. Not great. Chances are, whoever it is, the No. 4 pick will need at least and fifth, seem certain to select whoever is available between Byfield and one more year of development before being NHL-ready. There have Stuetzle. been many exceptions, though. In the past seven years, the list of players who were drafted fourth or lower and went right to the NHL If either falls through the cracks, the Red Wings surely would take that includes Brady Tkachuk (No. 4 to Ottawa in 2018), Matthew Tkachuk player. (No. 6 to Calgary in 2016), Jacob Chychrun (No. 16 to Arizona in 2016), Q. Will the Red Wings draft for a position to take best player available? Noah Hanifin (No. 5 to Carolina in 2015), Seth Jones (No. 4 to Nashville in 2013), Elias Lindholm (No. 5 to Carolina in 2013) and Sean Monahan A. They are apt to select the best player on their board, whether it is a (No. 6 to Calgary in 2013). center, winger or defenseman. They need everything -- scoring, help on defense and a franchise goaltender. They are more likely to draft for a Michigan Live LOADED: 07.21.2020 specific position in the second (they have three picks) or third (they have two picks) rounds.

Q. Why should the Red Wings take defenseman Jamie Drysdale?

A. As much the Red Wings need scoring help, it is more important they find defensemen with top-pair potential. They have one in Moritz Seider, their top pick in 2019 who has a good chance to play in the NHL next season at age 19.

Drysdale would be another. Rated by most analysts as the top defenseman in the draft, his game combines puck movement with strong defensive positioning. He is described as a dynamic skater who controls the pace of the game and has tremendous vision. He is not big (5-11, 174) but is an aggressive defender.

Drysdale, however, shoots right, like Seider and Filip Hronek, and the Red Wings might be reluctant to have all righties at the top end of their defensive depth chart.

Q. Why should the Red Wings take a forward? 1188850 Edmonton Oilers The NHL media guide says Ennis is 161 pounds. Ennis will tell you he could eat an apple off Yamamoto’s head because he’s an inch taller, at five-foot nine.

Ennis is better fit for Edmonton Oilers with Draisaitl right now than 5. Mike Smith has looked a little sharper than Mikko Koskinen if Tippett Athanasiou and goalie coach Dustin Schwartz are making the call on who starts against the Blackhawks on Aug. 1. Tippett also coached Smith in Arizona when the goalie had a 1.99 goals-against average in 16 playoff games in 2011-12, beating Chicago in six games in Round 1. Jim Matheson, Edmonton Journal The edge goes to Smith. Published:July 20, 2020 “There’s a good battle going on between myself and Mikko,” Smith said. Updated:July 20, 2020 4:56 PM MDT “That’s a strength of this team.”

Absolutely right. One week into Edmonton Oilers Phase 3 camp, and everybody is healthy 6. The Oilers’ top prospect, Evan Bouchard, has been out-played on the and accounted for here in the Western playoff hub. excitement meter by Philip Broberg, who may turn into a Jay It’s a stark contrast to their playoff opponent Chicago Blackhawks, who Bouwmeester-type NHLer: Great skater, long reach, average offence. haven’t had their No. 1 goalie, Corey Crawford, for any of it, not to Broberg, 19, isn’t going to play unless injuries hit but has lifted Tippett out mention their second defence pair of Connor Murphy and Calvin de Haan of his seat. We forget he’s played against grown men in Sweden; he’s for days. not coming out of junior. Bouchard has tons of skill and is a terrific puck They could be sick or their kids are, or maybe they’re in the witness distributor but has been quiet, not necessarily a good thing for an protection program. offensive defenceman.

Unfit is the most typed word at the Hawks camp. Right now, if Matt Benning and Russell are the third pairing for Game 1 against Chicago, Jones is No. 7 on the depth chart and William Lagesson Apart from defenceman Caleb Jones volunteering he had a positive a left-shot Adam Larsson, is No. 8. Bouchard and Broberg are probably COVID-19 test, that’s the only intrigue on the Oilers’ side, besides tied at No. 9. Rogers Place taking on water. “Having 10 defencemen for scrimmages mixes things up but Russell and But bursting pipes didn’t threaten the dressing rooms or ice, so that’s Benning have been a good third pair with Jones and Broberg playing music to everybody’s ears. together and Lagesson and Bouchard in another pair,” said Tippett. “We’ve been able to move people around and we have people who can And from the eyes, here are seven observations through the first week of play left or right side (Broberg, Jones and Russell).” skates: 7. Jujhar Khaira is better at centre with James Neal and Alex Chiasson 1. Connor McDavid can skate. OK, we knew that, but he’s been slicing than on left-wing because he’s more involved. Khaira has to be in the through people as if he was looking Brian Glynn and Nikita Nikitin on lineup as a second penalty-killing unit guy, but can get lost on the wing defence and a forward line of Jiri Dopita, Wayne van Dorp and Bogdan where he’s not always engaged enough. Yakimov. It’s a 635-pound line, something every coach desires, but Gaetan Haas “We were saying on the bench that Connor may have gotten faster over has been strong in camp and could easily be the fourth centre too, with the break,” said Tyler Ennis. He’s like a horse running free in the field.” his speed, with Khaira moving back to the wing. Who gets the first look And that’s not good news for the Hawks. as power play net-front presence, Chiasson or Neal? Chiasson’s a better deflector of pucks, Neal a better shooter. Toss a coin. “Before the break, he was battling some illness but he looks fresh now. And motivated,” said coach Dave Tippett. Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 07.21.2020

2. Ennis looks better on left wing with Leon Draisaitl than Andreas Athanasiou, who got five practices there but didn’t move the dial for Tippett. Ennis doesn’t have Double-A’s speed, but not many people do. He’s top 10 in the league when he gets the puck in open ice. But Ennis works the cycle better with Draisaitl and fellow mighty mite Kailer Yamamoto. And as a 10-year pro and former first-round pick, he has more savvy with the puck than Athanasiou. Maybe he can be like Conor Sheary was with Sidney Crosby, which would just fine.

“Ennis is a veteran who’s played with and against a lot of good players and he’s not intimidated,” said Tippett. “He’s a smart player who plays the game efficiently.”

3. The Oilers gave up two second-round picks for Athanasiou but he hasn’t looked like a top-six forward since the February trade.

“Still a work in progress,” said Tippett.

His best spot might be with former Detroit teammate Riley Sheahan and Josh Archibald on a checking line because he can get in on the forecheck, but at $3 million a year, that’s probably not what general manager Ken Holland got him for.

Tippett doesn’t have a bead on him yet.

“We’re still trying to find where the best fit is. He’s got speed and skill but we’re trying to find his niche in the lineup,” said Tippett.

Joakim Nygard, also fast, might be able to do just as good a job with Sheahan and Archibald. As for having to qualify Athanasiou at $3 million after the playoffs to keep his rights, that’s a story for another day.

4. We’d like to see Ennis and Yamamoto step on the scales to see who weighs more. The Oilers media guide says Yamamoto is 158 pounds. 1188851 Edmonton Oilers “The empty rink is probably the biggest unknown for a lot of us headed into the playoffs. How will no crowd affect the players and the telecasts?

“I know I like to ride the emotions of the crowd in the flow of my call, JONES: Chris Cuthbert ready to bring Edmonton's Hub City to hockey especially at playoff time when the atmosphere is supercharged in every fans rink. This will be different. I expect, in this setting, that we will be laying out more if we sense there is good sound being captured from the players on the ice. That audio will provide a completely different element to the telecasts than ever before. The trick will be to keep it all CRTC approved,” he said of the colourful language often involved. Published:July 20, 2020 “I’m excited about this format and getting back to work. It will be a unique Updated:July 20, 2020 4:33 PM MDT experience and I believe there’s a real pent-up demand for playoff hockey.

“If you told me a year ago that hockey fans would be anxious for August To Chris Cuthbert, it’s an honour, a privilege and one of the great hockey, I wouldn’t have believed it. But after what we’ve been through, challenges of his brilliant broadcasting career. I’m expecting the response of Canadian hockey fans to be enormous. I expect some wild games and plenty of upsets. Cuthbert jumped from TSN to the and Sportsnet job so he could work Stanley Cup playoff games. “Coupled with that are my first games for Sportsnet and my return to Hockey Night in Canada, so it’s fair to say I haven’t looked more forward It was announced Monday that they’re giving him the mic for the games to a Stanley Cup playoff run in a long time.” featuring the Canadian teams in Edmonton. For a while there, Cuthbert was worried he’d be forced to call the games Cuthbert will be inside Rogers Place, the connection for fans who won’t off a monitor like the Edmonton radio team of Jack Michaels and Bob be able to be inside — some of whom will be watching from condos or Stauffer at the 630 CHED studios. bars or big screen outdoor viewing parties only blocks away. And, while they won’t be in the same city, it won’t be much different for fans in “I’m grateful the NHL made it possible because initially we weren’t going Winnipeg, Calgary and Vancouver. to be in the building. It’s a showcase event for the NHL and without fans in the arenas, I think it’s important to give us the means to present the “I’ve experienced how great the atmosphere is in Edmonton at playoff games in the best light. It’s a restart for the league and for me and it time and even before we arrive, we have a sense of how Edmonton has seems fitting that I’m starting back in Edmonton where my Hockey Night embraced being a hub city. But Calgary, Winnipeg and Vancouver fans In Canada journey began in 1984 and continued there until 1991.” are in the same position, so the soundtrack has to resonate equally. It’s often not perceived that way, but that’s the goal. Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 07.21.2020 “Definitely the absence of fan interaction in the buildings will be the most notable difference of this year’s playoffs, but our job, as always, is to connect with those watching. It’s always a privilege, a challenge sometimes contentious and a big reason we do what we do.”

Cuthbert is certainly embracing the opportunity of taking you there as he begins his new job with Sportsnet and Hockey Night In Canada.

“Louie Debrusk and I are calling all games involving Canadian teams in the Western hub,” said Cuthbert of the plan. “Initially, we will be doing the Chicago-Edmonton, Calgary-Winnipeg and Minnesota-Vancouver series. Other games will be added as the schedule unfolds and potential series- clinching games arise.”

The two will also call the Calgary-Edmonton and Winnipeg-Vancouver exhibition games.

“It will be my first call with Louie and I’m excited about it. He has become one of the elite analysts in the game. We’ve already chatted on the phone a few times and I’m confident we’ll mesh well together.”

Cuthbert will be going from zero games for four and a half months to two games a day.

“I kidded with our executives that I wouldn’t be willing to do more than three games a day but anything else would be fine,” he laughed. “It looks like two games a day will be the limit, but you never know. We called three games a day at the Olympics in PyeongChang and I was surprised how quickly that became a comfortable rhythm.

“The most challenging aspect of the playoffs is travel and changing time zones, so being in a hub city for all the games is ideal.”

There will be no frequent flyer points this year.

“The last game I called was the final game on the schedule before the pause — Ottawa in Los Angeles,” he said of his last time behind a TSN microphone. “It was an eerie night. The Staples Centre was half empty and news of the NBA decision to stop their season broke about 30 minutes before the opening faceoff. At the end of the night, I remember promoting our next Senators telecast thinking, ‘There’s no chance of that happening.”

Cuthbert says he’s looking forward to this experience like few other in his career, and he called Sidney Crosby’s golden goal at Vancouver 2010, as well as 25 games.

There’s the challenge of calling games with no fans. 1188852 Edmonton Oilers 9 34

43 Evan Bouchard’s AHL debut has him on track to become a No. 1 NHL defenceman 0.77

2009-10

By Jonathan Willis Jul 20, 2020 P.K. Subban

77

Evan Bouchard had a fantastic first season in the AHL. Players who 18 produced at the same level and at the same age have consistently gone on to become top defencemen in the majors. 35

One of the great filters on the road from NHL hopeful to NHL player is the 53 jump from junior to the pro ranks, and the first year is especially tough. 0.69 Look no further than Bouchard’s teammate Kirill Maksimov, a 40-goal OHLer who scored just 13 points in his first year in Bakersfield. 2019-20

Bouchard, in contrast, thrived. Evan Bouchard

Thirty-six points in 54 games doesn’t initially sound like an exceptional 54 achievement. It’s obviously good, especially considering that Bouchard’s a defenceman and was still a teenager when the 2019-20 season began, 7 but just how good isn’t acknowledged nearly enough. 29

Back in January, Allan Mitchell looked over the past two decades of 36 Oilers prospects and found that Bouchard had enjoyed the best age-20 offensive season of an AHL defenceman from within the organization in 0.67 the past 20 years. The problem is one of scope: the Oilers haven’t exactly been rocking the junior-to-AHL pipeline on defence and while it’s 2008-09 nice that Bouchard isn’t having an Alex Plante kind of year there’s only Yannick Weber so much one can learn from comparing him to, say, Martin Marincin. 68 When Mitchell looked, Bouchard had 24 points in 40 games. He’d score 12 more over his next 14 appearances before the AHL season grinded to 16 a halt. This was part of a prolonged binge as the defenceman settled into 28 a top-pairing role for the Condors; Mitchell has talked about the player turning a corner at Christmas and interestingly his season splits neatly in 44 two at the holiday: 0.65 Pre-Christmas: 27 games, 3 goals, 12 assists, 15 points, minus-14 2010-11 Post-Christmas: 27 games, 4 goals, 17 assists, 21 points, plus-4 David Savard I wish I had a better number than plus/minus to show what was happening when Bouchard was on the ice. Its flaws are well-known, and 72 particularly so for players who spend a lot of times on special teams, as 11 Bouchard did; he finished second on the Condors in power play scoring (15 points) and tied for first in shorthanded scoring (two points). 32

At any rate, an 18-goal shift in the number over a pair of 27-game spans 43 is so huge that we can safely call it significant, especially since Bakersfield struggled to close out the season. Bouchard’s six-point 0.6 improvement in the second-half also points to a player on the rise. The 2005-06 early end to the AHL season probably means that Bouchard’s totals for the year are less impressive than they otherwise would have been. Shea Weber

Even so, they rank with some impressive names. Here are how 46 Bouchard’s results compare against the 20 best offensive seasons from similar-aged defencemen (i.e., with a birthday within six months of 12 Bouchard) from 2005-11: 15

Bouchard and the AHL's best, 2005-11 27

2009-10 0.59

John Carlson 2010-11

48 Roman Josi

4 69

35 6

39 34

0.81 40

2005-06 0.58

Mike Green 2006-07

56 Matt Lashoff 64 Kyle Quincey

11 70

25 7

36 26

0.56 33

2006-07 0.47

Alex Edler 2010-11

49 Nick Leddy

5 22

21 2

26 8

0.53 10

2006-07 0.45

Kyle Cumiskey 2005-06

63 Alexandre Picard

7 75

26 7

33 26

0.52 33

2010-11 0.44

T.J. Brodie 2010-11

68 Mark Cundari

5 69

29 10

34 20

0.5 30

2006-07 0.43

Keith Yandle 2008-09

69 Jason Demers

6 78

28 2

34 31

0.49 33

2005-06 0.42

Jonathan Sigalet 2008-09

75 Karl Alzner

9 48

27 4

36 16

0.48 20

2007-08 0.42

Cody Franson That’s an excellent list of future NHLers. All 20 played in the NHL, 17 had played more than 200 games by age 27 and 14 have had long stretches 76 of top-four employment over their careers.

11 Bouchard ranks fourth on the list. All three guys ahead of him have 25 finished in the top-five of Norris voting on multiple occasions and have six year-end all-star appearances between them. John Carlson will certainly 36 push that number to seven once the 2020 awards are announced.

0.47 Let’s be pessimistic, though. Sure, 70 percent of the players on this list ended up as top-four defencemen, and yes, Bouchard ranks near the 2005-06 top, but what about the failures? Yannick Weber had almost identical numbers and although he did play in the NHL that’s not the kind of return This isn’t a player like Griffin Reinhart, an early pick who a year into his one envisions from a 10th overall draft pick. Why should we be confident professional career was already obviously (albeit not to the Oilers) in that Edmonton’s top prospect isn’t going to turn out like that? serious trouble as a prospect. This is a player with that pedigree, but with a pattern of steady advancement two seasons after being drafted. He’s One thing the more disappointing players on this list have in common is going to be an NHL player and the only questions are how soon it’s going that their AHL performance clashed with their junior production. to happen and just how good he’s going to be.

Mark Cundari, Kyle Cumiskey and Alexandre Picard all lacked both draft It might be sooner rather than later. pedigree and the kind of amateur career that points toward eventual NHL stardom. Matt Lashoff was a first-rounder but only cracked the 40-point On paper, Bouchard was Edmonton’s No. 5 right-side option, and with barrier in his final season of junior, year after he was drafted; he’s hardly Mike Green opting out of the league’s return-to-play he’s now in the No. 4 a comparable for Bouchard, who hit it a year before he was draft-eligible. slot. That doesn’t necessarily mean he’s one injury away from regular status, given the ability of Kris Russell and Caleb Jones to move to their Jonathan Sigalet, the most disappointing player on the list, didn’t play off-side, but he’s playing for coaches who like guys on their strong sides junior but had unremarkable numbers in college. Despite his scoring, he and he’d already been recalled once before the NHL season paused. didn’t even crack Boston’s top-10 prospects list (according to The Hockey News) as a first-year AHLer. That highlights one other place where Bouchard today differs from that of so many other Oilers prospects in recent years, and even from himself Yanick Weber, the third-round pick who scored lots of goals but topped when he got an NHL cameo right after being drafted. When he breaks out at 35 assists in junior, is the closest we get to a player in Bouchard’s into the lineup, he’ll have done so on merit, rather than because mode. All down the line he got extreme praise for his shot; he’s the best management was in a hurry to show off its shiniest prospect bauble. defenceman on this list in terms of goals-per-game and 10 of the 16 came on the power play. With the power of hindsight, his production James Neal and the port side shuffle screams power play specialist in a way Bouchard’s just doesn’t. Away from the man advantage, Bouchard scored 0.39 points per game, nearly On Sunday, Reid Wilkins reported a change in Edmonton’s forward lines, double Weber’s 0.22. with Tyler Ennis joining Leon Draisaitl and Kailer Yamamoto while Andreas Athanasiou moved next to Riley Sheahan and Josh Archibald. So much for the guys Bouchard doesn’t look like. Which players on the list does his scoring profile most closely resemble? The left side is the team’s most unsettled position, and we’re not at a point where we can be confident in any of the team’s five current left If we’re looking for players with draft pedigree and junior production, it’s a wings staying where they’re currently placed. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins will short list. John Carlson, P.K. Subban and Mike Green were both early be in the top-six (though we’ll see if that’s next to Draisaitl or Connor picks who lit up their respective leagues in their final seasons of junior. McDavid) and after that it’s far from clear where Ennis, Athanasiou, Roman Josi, another early pick, didn’t play junior hockey but had great James Neal or Joakim Nygard will slot. numbers in Switzerland before coming to North America. There just wasn’t enough time post-trade deadline to get a feel for those Those are the closest players. If we want to be generous, we can players. Nygard of course was injured, while Athanasiou and Ennis squeeze in Keith Yandle and David Savard, both later picks who had played only nine games. The average 5-on-5 minutes for each of the breakout seasons in the QMJHL. players in that group in 2020 is interesting, though:

(Jason Demers also had great junior numbers but wasn’t drafted when Ennis: 14:29 per game he put them up. San Jose spent a seventh-round flyer on him as an overage defenceman and two years later he was an NHL regular. It Neal: 13:30 per game would be fascinating to go back and listen to the conversations major- Athanasiou: 11:49 per game league scouts had about him at the time given his scoring and subsequent career.) Nygard: 8:53 per game

This is rarefied air. It’s always good to be conservative when projecting Ken Holland’s burst of activity at the trade deadline probably means prospects, but if we look solely at concrete indicators like draft position Nygard will be confined to a bottom-six role, even if Neal flips over to and point production, Bouchard looks at minimum to be a top-four right wing (where Zack Kassian, penciled in on the first line, had just two defenceman. Five years from now if we’re talking about him as a Norris goals in his final 20 games of the year). The other three would probably Trophy candidate, nobody will have any right to be surprised; it’s all get top-six opportunities over a playoff run of any length. happened for all the guys he most resembles over this timespan. Ennis has been the best 5-on-5 scorer of the bunch this season (and Switching gears, the two consistent knocks on Bouchard’s play are would be my first choice, though that’s hardly relevant to what actually skating and defensive game, and while it would be a bad idea to just happens). Athanasiou has 30-goal history and was brought in at big cost handwave those things away it’s a good idea to keep them in at the deadline specifically in the hopes he could recapture that form. perspective. The most interesting name is Neal. He lost a big chunk of January and all On the defensive side, two points stand out. First, any teenage of February to injury and still managed to finish seventh among Oilers defenceman who strives to create offence at the level Bouchard does is forwards by average ice-time over this stretch. If the coaches see his going to have defensive kinks to iron out. Second, and more importantly, camp performance the same way an observer like Bob Stauffer does and Bouchard’s showing real progress in the minors on the defensive side. think he really is a half-step faster, what are the odds he doesn’t get That includes regular work on the PK, which represents lots of defensive another crack at a scoring line gig? zone minutes against the best players the AHL has to offer. The Athletic LOADED: 07.21.2020 As for the skating, it might not be a particular strength but it’s always been overrated as an issue with his game, something Bakersfield defensive coach Dave Manson pointed out in a conversation in February.

“The one thing Bouch can do is seize the ice well,” Manson said. “He’s got great peripheral vision. He can pass and he can pound it. He skates better than people give him credit for, so that’s a real good package to work with.”

The complaints about Bouchard’s skating were most pronounced at the junior level, and Manson agreed with the notion that the player was pacing himself so as to stand up to heavy usage.

“That’s always the case. You worry about them starting to guard their minutes. That’s junior hockey… You’re going to play those players (a lot) and that’s just the way it is. That’s something you have to guard against them doing up here, but it is a natural thing.” 1188853 Florida Panthers The NHL has been in Phase 3 of its return-to-play play since last Monday, when training camps began for the 24 teams participating in the postseason. Phase 4 begins at the start of August when the postseason begins in Toronto and Edmonton. Florida Panthers’ bubble expectations and an encouraging NHL COVID- 19 testing update In Phase 3, players are tested every other day. Testing will become a daily practice once teams arrive in their hub cities Sunday.

Two positive tests mark a positive trend for the league as it tries to BY DAVID WILSON determine a Stanley Cup champion. Last Monday, the NHL released information on its COVID test results for Phase 2, which began in June JULY 20, 2020 04:40 PM , and ended when training camps began. In Phase 2, 4,934 tests for the coronavirus were conducted with 30 positive results, plus 13 players who tested positive outside the Phase 2 protocol. Joel Quenneville smiled and chuckled at the suggestion. In less than a week, the Florida Panthers — and the rest of the NHL — will be settled in Miami Herald LOADED: 07.21.2020 at one of two hub cities, ready to live in a tightly regulated bubble for weeks or even months as the league plays out its expanded postseason. There’s a thought, as one reporter suggested to Quenneville, coaches might have to double as “chaperones” on this bizarre, extended field trip.

Quenneville, at least, isn’t too worried about his campers.

“The guys have been basically in that type of situation here for the last month or so,” the coach said. “A lot of the guys that have been in Florida have welcomed the guys that were out of town and led the way as far as what to expect away from the rink and when you are at the rink how to get through it.”

Everyone knows they need to pack a little differently — Xbox Ones and PlayStation 4s will be in bags, and Quenneville has extra suits and ties on his packing list — but there’s no organizational concern about anyone violating policies when the Panthers are in Toronto. Keith Yandle said the team knows it’s heading to Canada for a greater purpose.

“I don’t think that’s an issue at all,” the 33-year-old defenseman said. “Obviously, we’ve touched on it, but it kind of goes without saying that we’re there for a reason. We’re there to play hockey. I think we’ve got a group of guys that know that we’ve got to win games, so I think that’s the least of our worries.”

The NHL’s Phase 4 protocols do allow for some freedom. While players can’t go into their teammates’ rooms, there are common areas where people can mingle and play games. Hotels pools, bars and restaurants will all be open. The league is even allowing for some approved excursion off site, potentially for golf outings or similar activities.

There will be downtime, but there will also be ways to fill it.

Even at nights, when some players might usually go out to bars or clubs, Yandle doesn’t expect the urge to be too overwhelming for Florida, which is taking part in the postseason for just the fourth time in franchise history.

The sheer amount of hockey — and the amount of time people have gone without seeing any — should keep everyone entertained, Quenneville thinks.

“Everybody’s got some awareness to expect downtime,” he said, “but we’re going to see six hockey games a day. If you’re playing that day, you obviously won’t have as many games to see and we’ll be preparing from your last game into your next game or watching other games. I think the theme’s just going to be everybody’s watching games and enjoying it, so I think that’s part of it, as well. When you’re in the playoffs, it seems like that’s kind of what you’re only focusing on.”

The NHL’s first update on COVID-19 testing for postseason training camp is encouraging. Across the league, only two players tested positive in the first week of training camps.

The league administered 2,618 tests from last Monday through Friday, testing more than 800 players. Only two of those tests came back positive. Both players are in self-isolation, the league said. The NHL did not disclose the identity of either player.

The Panthers were once again at full strength for practice Monday at the Florida Panthers IceDen in Coral Springs.

“Both Players who tested positive have self-isolated and are following CDC and Health Canada protocols,” the NHL said in a statement. “During Phase 3, the NHL will continue to provide regular updates on the number of tests administered to Players and the results of those tests.” 1188854 Florida Panthers Vatrano and Barkov already had a sort of chemistry from playing together on the Panthers’ penalty-kill unit, and Vatrano is trying to emulate some of what made the tandem work so well in shorthanded situations. Both can be defensive-minded and both like to use their speed to create on Why Frank Vatrano is so important to the Florida Panthers’ reshuffled the counterattack with more open ice. Vatrano, who leads Florida with postseason lines two shorthanded goals, has some first-line offensive tools and a role player’s mentality.

Playing with Barkov and fellow wing Evgenii Dadonov, “just keeps my job BY DAVID WILSON simple,” Vatrano said. JULY 20, 2020 03:41 PM , “Get to the puck as best as possible and just drive to the net, be hard on the forecheck, be hard to play against,” said Vatrano, whose 34 points were on pace for a career high. “That’s kind of my job on that line: Create Frank Vatrano’s entire tenure with the Florida Panthers has been defined space for them.” by opportunity. His slap shot makes defenses pay attention, his speed lets him win loose Opportunities never really emerged for the wing while he bounced pucks and his attitude is tailored to fit in as the No. 3 option. between the NHL and the while he was with the Boston Bruins. “You notice him for how hard of a shot he has — stuff like that — but he plays the game hard,” defenseman Keith Yandle said. “He’s one better Opportunities, then, immediately presented themselves with the Bruins skaters on our team. He flies up and down the wing. He can create space traded him to the Panthers just before the trade deadline in 2018. for himself and his linemates. He’s definitely not afraid to get his nose in Vatrano was more than happy to play wherever, as long as it meant he there and he’s going to be a vital part to our team.” was a full-time player at the highest level of hockey. Miami Herald LOADED: 07.21.2020 Back in March, Vatrano stared down his greatest opportunity yet. Florida was struggling and threatening to drop out of playoff contention.

Joel Quenneville had an off-the-wall idea: He would split up the dynamic forward tandem of Aleksander Barkov and Jonathan Huberdeau. Vatrano would be Huberdeau’s replacement on the Panthers’ top line.

“There was balance in our lines,” the coach said. “All of a sudden more lines we feel could score, more lines were comfortable defensively and all four lines gave us that balance.”

Florida, which had lost four games in a row, went with the new alignment for their last two games before the COVID-19 shutdown in March. The Panthers won first with offense, scoring four goals — with one assisted by Vatrano — to beat the Montreal Canadiens, then winning the regular- season finale with defense 2-1 against the St. Louis Blues.

Quenneville has repeatedly suggested the two-game stretch was perhaps Florida’s best this season, so the Panthers are sticking with the same lines as they prepare for the qualifying round against the New York Islanders next month in Toronto. All throughout postseason training camp at the Florida Panthers IceDen in Coral Springs, Quenneville has kept the lines unchanged.

Vatrano’s development from undrafted afterthought into a legitimate first- line forward unlocks Florida’s ability to play this way.

“The biggest thing when I was in Boston coming to here is I didn’t really have the confidence. I think in hockey, the thing that you need the most—no matter how skilled you are, if you don’t have confidence, you’re game’s going to go right down,” Vatrano said. “Dale [Tallon] and the coaching staff that was here at the time gave me a great opportunity to hop right into a top-six spot, and compete for it. And I took the opportunity I had and just went with it.”

In nearly three seasons with the Bruins, Vatrano never played more than 44 games in a single season. The Massachusetts native had two good seasons for the UMass Minutemen before Boston took a flier on him as an undrafted free agent in 2015.

His strong slap shot and speed quickly impressed the organization as he scored 10 goals in his first 10 games for AHL Providence. Less than eight months after he joined Boston as an undrafted free agent, Vatrano got his first crack at the NHL.

He never found a way to stick, though. Instead, he frequently was a healthy scratch by the Bruins and even was occasionally sent back to the minors for stints with the . Tallon plucked him away from Boston for just a third-round pick. The general manager immediately locked him into a roster spot.

“He took me out of a tough situation in Boston and brought me here to an even better one,” Vatrano said. “I kind of took that opportunity and went with it.”

This season was the best of his career and the Panthers were at their best — at least in Quenneville’s mind — when Vatrano was playing with Florida’s top unit. 1188855 Los Angeles Kings

Two players test positive for coronavirus in first days of NHL training camp

By HELENE ELLIOTT

JULY 20, 20203:41 PM

Two players tested positive for COVID-19 during the first five days of NHL training camp out of 2,618 tests administered to more than 800 players, the league said Monday in a statement.

Training camps opened last Monday for the 24 postseason-bound teams, representing Phase 3 of the league’s four-part Return to Play plan. Phase 4 is scheduled to begin on Aug. 1 and will consist of the top four teams in the East and the West playing round-robin, nonelimination games to determine playoff seeding, while the teams seeded fifth through 12th face each other in best-of-five series. All rounds after that will be best of seven.

Teams currently are training at their respective facilities now but they’re scheduled to report to their hub sites — Toronto for Eastern teams and Edmonton for Western teams — on Sunday. Games will be played without fans and all involved are expected to follow strict health guidelines and observe mandated safety precautions.

The NHL has issued sporadic reports on cumulative test results but it has not identified the players who have tested positive or their teams. In its statement Monday, the league said the two players who tested positive during the most recent period have self-isolated “and are following CDC and Health Canada protocols.”

It added, “During Phase 3, the NHL will continue to provide regular updates on the number of tests administered to Players and the results of those tests. The League will not be providing information on the identity of the Players or Clubs.”

The NHL, which traditionally has allowed teams to be vague about the extent of players’ injuries, has become even more secretive during its restart. The league has decreed that no injury or illness information will be made public, leaving teams to use the catch-all explanation “unfit to play” in relation to players who have missed workouts or scrimmages. Team personnel have been instructed not to comment, a route taken by Pittsburgh Penguins coach Mike Sullivan after team captain Sidney Crosby left a scrimmage on Saturday and missed sessions on Sunday and Monday. The Chicago Blackhawks have repeatedly said goaltender Corey Crawford is unfit to play, without further explanation, and the Boston Bruins categorized nine players as unfit to participate last Saturday.

Also on Monday, the NHL announced the finalists for two major individual trophies, both of which are voted upon by members of the Professional Hockey Writers’ Assn. The winners will be announced during the conference finals.

Washington’s John Carlson, Tampa Bay’s Victor Hedman and Nashville’s Roman Josi are the finalists for the Norris Trophy, awarded annually to the best defenseman. Hedman won the Norris in 2017-18.

The finalists for the Selke Trophy, presented to the best defensive forward, are Boston center Patrice Bergeron, Philadelphia Flyers center Sean Couturier and St. Louis Blues center Ryan O’Reilly. Bergeron is a finalist for an unprecedented ninth consecutive season and has won four times. O’Reilly won the Selke last season before leading the Blues to the Stanley Cup championship.

LA Times: LOADED: 07.21.2020 1188856 Los Angeles Kings

REIGN RE-SIGN BRETT SUTTER

BY ZACH DOOLEY

JULY 20, 20200

He’s back!

The have re-signed forward Brett Sutter on an AHL contract, with the veteran forward slated to return to the organization for his franchise record sixth season with the team.

Sutter is the only player to have skated for Ontario in each of the team’s six seasons as a member of the AHL. The now 33-year-old forward is the all-time Reign franchise leader in goals, assists, points and games played.

Not only is Sutter’s re-signing important on the ice – he was one of just four Reign players with 10 goals and 25 points during the 2019-20 season – but his presence in the locker room has been an important staple for the Kings process of developing its younger players.

More to come on Sutter later in the week – Chatted virtually with the captain about his return to Ontario, his role in developing future Kings and more. Stay tuned!

From The Reign –

ONTARIO, CA – The Ontario Reign, proud AHL affiliate of the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings, announced today that forward Brett Sutter has re-signed with the team.

The 33-year-old Sutter collected 26 points (10-16=26) during the shortened 2019-20 season, his fifth as a member of the Reign organization. Sutter, who was one of four Ontario skaters with both 10 goals and 25 points a season ago, became the franchise’s all-time leading scorer on October 26 against San Diego. The Viking, AB native ranks first in Reign franchise history in games played (275), goals (69), assists (79) and points (148).

In 2019, Sutter became the 39th player in AHL history to appear in 800 career regular-season games, and was named as the winner of the Fred T. Hunt Award, as the AHL player who best exemplifies the qualities of sportsmanship, determination and dedication to hockey. Originally drafted by the Calgary Flames in 2005, Sutter has totaled 392 points (164-228-392) in 870 games over his AHL career with Ontario, Iowa, Charlotte, Abbotsford and Quad City, along with 10 points (2-8-10) in 60 NHL contests with Minnesota, Carolina and Calgary.

LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 07.21.2020 1188857 Minnesota Wild

Jordan Greenway's size and strength could be prominent for Wild in playoffs

By Sarah McLellan JULY 21, 2020 — 12:09AM

EDMONTON – Jordan Greenway isn’t planning to change the way he plays now that he’s skating alongside offensive leaders Kevin Fiala and Eric Staal in training camp.

Actually, the 6-6, 225-pound winger’s rugged style is probably why he could debut on the Wild’s top line when the team opens its qualifying- round matchup with Vancouver on Aug. 2 in Edmonton.

“Whether I was playing with these two or anyone else,” Greenway said recently during a video conference call from St. Paul, “that’s the role I would play.”

The Canucks’ scouting report on the Wild will undoubtedly focus on Fiala, the team’s leading scorer after his 26-point tear through February and March before the season was paused, but Greenway could also receive some attention.

Not only can his size and strength be difficult to contain, giving him the opportunity to create openings for Fiala to operate, but his physical presence could wear down Vancouver defenders and make their lives tougher on the ice.

Essentially, the playoffs could be Greenway’s time to shine.

And he knows it.

“It’s definitely more physical when it comes to the playoffs,” said Greenway, who scored in Saturday’s scrimmage at Tria Rink in St. Paul. “Definitely more of a grittier type game. There’s not a lot of room, so you gotta find ways to create space. So, it’ll fit right in for me what I’m trying to accomplish out there.”

What will be key is whether Greenway can bring that approach every game of the series.

During the regular season, he wasn’t a consistent physical pest, and he recognized that — acknowledging in November that he needed to bring that edge more frequently.

At the time, he was still seeking his first goal of the season. But as he started to dish out more hits, eventually he was rewarded offensively and ended up scoring the game-winning goal in a 3-2 decision over Arizona on Nov. 14 for his first of eight tallies on the season. Greenway also recorded 20 assists through 67 games.

“We believe he’s in a spot to complement Eric and Kevin,” coach Dean Evason said. “As long as he gets to the net and hangs around there, he’s going to get opportunities. And once the puck is free, if he can get his body engaged, he’s a hard guy to defend and he can protect the puck and clearly if he can get the puck into Staalsie’s hands or Kevin’s hands, good things are going to happen.

“That’s what we think his asset is. Going the net, we think he can score some goals in that area. But we really like his grit and they seem to have a nice chemistry.”

Although he’s only 23, Greenway has playoff experience.

After leaving Boston University to turn pro, he debuted with the Wild late in 2017-18 and appeared in all five games against Winnipeg in the first round. Greenway finished the series with a goal, assist and nine hits — proof he can make a difference when the season is on the line.

“Everything was ramped up times two compared to the regular season,” Greenway recalled. “You’re playing against all good teams, so there’s not a lot of room on the ice, not a lot of room for error. Everyone’s going hard, so it’s definitely going to be competitive — even with the circumstances that we’re dealing with now.

“And, yeah, I’m looking forward to it.”

Star Tribune LOADED: 07.21.2020 1188858 Minnesota Wild That observation was texted to Reid and he responded: “Don’t believe ‘anything’ you hear.’’

Star Tribune LOADED: 07.21.2020 Walt McKechnie: The North Star forward who made Haliburton home

By Patrick Reusse JULY 20, 2020 — 9:15AM

The North Stars were in their first season in 1967-68 and forward Walt McKechnie was also a first-year pro. Wren Blair, the Stars’ general manager and coach, acquired the 20-year-old McKechnie on Feb. 17, 1968 from the Phoenix Roadrunners of the Western Hockey League.

McKechnie had 24 goals and 58 points in 67 games for the Roadrunners and would be voted as the WHL’s Rookie of the Year. He played four regular-season games without a point for the North Stars, but then Blair turned to McKechnie for nine games in the 1968 playoff run and young Walt scored three goals with a couple of assists.

“I had a good playoff and we almost beat St. Louis to reach the finals,’’ McKechnie said. “I turned 21 in June and a few weeks later was in my first NHL camp in Haliburton. I was in two training camps up there, with veterans like Moose Vasko, Leo Boivin, Bob McCord, Wayne Hillman, and it was a mind-boggling introduction to the NHL.

“I hadn’t drank at all when I met those guys. That changed.

“We were sleeping on cots in the barrack for Wren’s hockey school for boys. Snoring, burping, wheezing from 30 hockey players. We were in the middle of the woods, up there with the black bears.’’

Blair had started the camp and hockey school in 1965. His partner was Jim Gregory. It wasn’t built to size for an NHL players, but as McKechnie pointed out this last week:

“The camp itself and having the North Stars for three years put Haliburton on the map in Canada for hockey. Hundreds of kids came here every summer to improve their hockey skills – and that’s still going all these decades later.’’

McKechnie would know because he’s had a home on a lake in Haliburton County since 1980. “I started working as one of the players at the camp in 1970,’’ he said. “I’d be up here for 10 weeks in the summer. And it’s a beautiful area.’’

Many more Canadians discovered that as the decades passed. Haliburton County is 2 ½ hours northeast of Toronto and rates near the top of hot spots for Canada’s summer migration to cottage country.

McKechnie settled in Haliburton. He owned and ran McKeck’s, a family restaurant, for 20-plus years in Haliburton. He is currently serving a third term on the city council.

“We have the same rink that was used for North Stars training camp,’’ McKechnie said. “It’s a great old rink that has been restored. We put a new roof on it and other improvements. There are plaques paying tribute to Wren and Jim Gregory for their importance to Haliburton hockey.

“They were an interesting pair. Wren was the loud guy; Gregory was quieter, not a screamer. That gave him more lasting power as an NHL general manager.’’

McKechnie said those three Septembers as being home to the start of North Stars training camp are still fondly remembered by Haliburton’s older generations.

The North Stars moved training camp to Winnipeg for 1970 and 1971. The facilities were more adequate for adult hockey players. The characters remained as plentiful as in Haliburton.

“I’ll never forget the sight of Gump [Worsley] when we were doing our daily running in camp,’’ McKechnie said. “Gump would be in a track suit, wearing his brogue shoes, smoking a cigarette and walking at a steady pace.’’

ADDENDUM: Near the end of the conversation, I said to McKechnie: “Tom Reid says hello.’’

McKechnie said: “The No. 1 disturber of the peace in training camp, Haliburton or Winnipeg, was Tom Reid.’’ 1188859 Minnesota Wild some of these Grade A’s. It was very clear how well that line transitioned up the ice and Greenway knows full well what his role is on the line.

“I’ve got to create space, for sure, for both Staalzy and Kev,” Greenway Russo: Key observations from first week of Wild Training Camp 2.0 said. “I see myself being probably the most physical one on the line.”

Evason feels the big Greenway can really complement Staal and Fiala.

By Michael Russo Jul 20, 2020 “As long as he gets to the net and hangs around there, he’s going to get opportunities,” Evason said. “And then once the puck is free, if he can get his body engaged, he’s a hard guy to defend. He can protect the puck and clearly if he can get the puck into Staalzy’s hands or Kevin’s hands, The Wild are a week into training camp and the first of two scrimmages good things are going to happen.” are in the books after Saturday’s surprisingly up-tempo, hard-working affair at TRIA Rink. Other lines: Like Fiala, Kunin was snakebit. He had a couple tremendous chances only to hit the crossbar. This Parise-Eriksson Ek-Kunin line is It’s very common for veterans, especially, to go through the motions in intriguing. Eriksson Ek created a number of chances and was so good in these type of skates. But despite the unusual circumstance of having a his own end, even in overtime when he knocked the green team off the scrimmage in the middle of the summer, Ryan Suter, Jared Spurgeon, puck to trigger a rush the other way. Eric Staal, Zach Parise, Mikko Koivu and Marcus Foligno competed their butts off Saturday in St. Paul. It’ll be interesting to see if the Wild can get the third line going.

Parise scored the winner for Team White after his group rallied from a 3- Zuccarello had just an OK scrimmage. Some good looks, but he misfired. 1 third-period deficit to force overtime. Good passes, yes, but as was his M.O. a lot during the regular season, he has a tendency of being way ahead of the play and then inexplicably “We thought all our veteran guys pushed it,” coach Dean Evason said. drop a pass 25 feet behind despite the fact he’s one-on-one with the “Suts and Spurgeon were so good. Suts’ skating was real good. It’s been goalie. awhile coming off of his (ankle) injury. He’s had a real good opportunity to train and rest and recover and heal up. His skating was real good. It will be interesting to see if Evason ever swaps Zuccarello and Kunin or They played a lot with Staalzy’s line … but they worked. if he would even drop Foligno back to the fourth line and move up Donato. “It was very visible that this was not an ease-into-it process.” One interesting point Ryan Carter made on the Straight From the Source Alex Stalock backstopped the green team to a two-goal lead through two podcast last week is whether gritty, physical players like Foligno will be periods. But in the third period, Wild fourth-string goalie Mat Robson nullified in these playoffs because there are no fans in the crowd. In other entered and promptly gave up a pair of Jonas Brodin goals from the left words, the jolt that a team often gets from a monstrous check could be circle before Parise ended things in OT. Kaapo Kahkonen, who replaced negated by the fact there are no fans to react to the crushing blow. Devan Dubnyk in the third period, was perfect in the final 20 minutes and overtime to earn the victory. Gerry Mayhew also scored for Team White. “Trust me, I thought about it, too,” Foligno told The Athletic. “Is it going to have as a big of an effect as it does when fans are there? Maybe not, but Jordan Greenway, Luke Johnson and Spurgeon scored for the green I believe that it’s also my job to get the guys fired up about it. I think that’s team. how you support each other. You make your own ruckus on the bench. The Wild took Sunday off and were gathering at the arena Monday for a To me, it’s still putting fear in your opponent. And I think the best way of session with a special speaker. doing that is to let them know that we’re pumped up and being physical.

Tuesday and Wednesday, Evason will introduce special teams work in “You’re not going to get 18,000, 20,000 people yelling your name or practice to prepare for another scrimmage Thursday. The Wild depart for yelling when you hit someone in a corner. But that’s why I believe this is Edmonton after Sunday’s practice. going to be one of the biggest, toughest mentally draining experiences. You have to create your own momentum. You’ve got to create your own Here are some observations and notes from the first week of training havoc and intimidation factor. We won’t have the fans, but we can create camp and Saturday’s scrimmage. our own hooting and hollering.”

Jordan Greenway-Eric Staal-Kevin Fiala line a force: A week into camp, Not shockingly, Nico Sturm’s come to play: Maybe it’s the blond hair, Evason has gone with the same exact lines he used in the team’s final maybe it’s the stature, maybe it’s the eventual role the Wild see for him in practice March 11 before the NHL paused its season a day later. the future, but Nico Sturm continues to remind me so much of Koivu.

That’s Greenway-Staal-Fiala, Parise-Joel Eriksson Ek-Luke Kunin, Sturm, the star of last summer’s development camp, really pushed the Foligno-Alex Galchenyuk-Mats Zuccarello and -Koivu-Ryan pace in Saturday’s scrimmage on a line with Victor Rask and J.T. Brown Hartman. and was so, so good in the defensive zone.

In Saturday’s scrimmage, the Greenway-Staal-Fiala line generated more “He was good in all zones,” Evason said. “He’s just such a worker in than a dozen scoring chances but only were able to get the one goal every area. He just doesn’t stop. He just works and works and works. His from Greenway. But, man, were they ever good with lots of sustained attention to detail is real good.” pressure in the offensive zone and what felt like 10 chances for Fiala. Evason said, if anything, Sturm, 25, almost works too hard in the Fiala showed his frustration often, however, angrily smacking the ice with offensive zone and may need to slow down and let the game come to his stick after not converting a number of goals. Dubnyk robbed him twice him offensively. But defensively, he is so ridiculously smart with his body on one shift, and there were a couple other chances where he simply positioning and stick. whiffed or lost the puck. Calen Addison very confident: This is our first chance to get our eyes on His skating is as good as ever and one would think his hands will smooth-skating defenseman Calen Addison, 20, who came to the Wild eventually catch up. Fiala’s mostly frustrated because he was skating from Pittsburgh in the Jason Zucker trade earlier this year. virtually every day in Sweden but was then forced into a Minnesota- mandated 14-day quarantine because he and the Wild’s three Swedish Addison, a high-scoring defenseman in the WHL ready to turn pro, was players arrived via commercial aircraft in the state from an international considered the Penguins’ top prospect in the organization and was a star location. for Team Canada in the 2020 world junior championships.

So Fiala feels he’s trying to catch up a bit. GM Bill Guerin obviously knew Addison well from his days with Pittsburgh and Addison is proving to be an impressive right-shot blueliner “I got a little frustrated, but the happy part is it’s just a practice who can dipsy-doodle with that puck. He has got a great shot and will just scrimmage,” Fiala said. “We need my goals in Edmonton. … Next need to get more astute in his own zone and also knowing when to take (scrimmage), we just have to score.” a chance in the offensive zone.

You’ve got to love that mentality from Fiala, and again, he looked great “Very smooth, very confident with the puck,” Evason said. “Same with and one would think it’s only a matter of time before he cashes in on any young player, he’s going to have to learn his reads defensively and know his positioning defensively so he doesn’t get into a physical confrontation with a guy like Foligno. He’s not going to win that, but he can win that confrontation in a stick battle because of his intelligence, stick and skill level.

“In the first period, he made a suspect pinch when it got chipped by him. I went down to him (on the bench) and asked, ‘What was your read there?’ He said, ‘My read is I should not have gone.’ I said, ‘That’s a good read.’ He clearly has intelligence for the game.”

By the way, sounds like Addison will make the traveling roster. The only way he’d burn the first year of his three-year contract is if he played in 10 games. Obviously, unless there’s an injury, the Wild’s blue line regardless is Suter-Spurgeon, Brodin-Matt Dumba, Carson Soucy-Brad Hunt.

Opening night starter: Saturday’s scrimmage provided the first real competition in net as Stalock, Dubnyk and Kahkonen battle for the No. 1 spot to start the best-of-five qualifying round against the Vancouver Canucks.

Kahkonen gave up no goals in the third period and overtime, Stalock gave up one goal in two periods and Dubnyk gave up three.

Stalock, who went 11-4-1 down the stretch and won a career-high 20 games, is the frontrunner a week into camp to get that “opening night” nod.

Kaprizov update: Getting Kirill Kaprizov to North America has been typically problematic.

The hope of getting him to Minnesota so he could take part in training camp has pretty much come and gone.

His U.S. work visa has still not been approved, so the Wild are working on getting him a Canadian tourist visa. The Wild continue to wait for direction from the NHL on whether he can fly into Toronto and continue on to Edmonton or whether he’d have to fulfill a quarantine in Toronto. The hope now is the Wild can fly him to Edmonton and he can fulfill his “quarantine” in the Edmonton bubble as long as he satisfies his negative COVID-19 regimen.

Army going on the trip: Iowa Wild coach Tim Army will be part of the Wild’s 52-person traveling party so he can skate the extras while the team is in Edmonton and be the eye in the sky for Evason and assistant coaches Bob Woods and Darby Hendrickson to communicate with.

Evason obviously doesn’t want to conduct practices with 31 skaters on the ice, so the team will likely have a second practice every day consisting of eight players that Army can work with on the ice.

Since Kaprizov must be part of the 31 maximum players, if the Wild take both Kahkonen and Robson as extra goalies, Guerin will have to ultimately cut three players from Mayhew, Sturm, Johnson, Addison, Louie Belpedio, Brennan Menell, Brown, Kyle Rau and Sam Anas.

“(Army’s) just a tremendous asset tool for us to use,” Evason said. “Clearly, Iowa had a tremendous year. He has so much experience to provide for our group, our coaching group, our players, and his energy level is absolutely tremendous. It’s a nice fit for us to have him here and in Edmonton, as well.”

The Athletic LOADED: 07.21.2020 1188860 Montreal Canadiens

Max Domi joins Montreal Canadiens training camp

MONTREAL

PUBLISHED JULY 20, 2020

UPDATED JULY 20, 2020

after sitting out the first week owing to health concerns.

Domi participated in practice Monday for the first time since the NHL started Phase 3 of its return-to-play plan a week ago.

Domi has Type 1 diabetes and celiac disease. He and the Canadiens had agreed on waiting seven to 10 days before making a call on whether he would return in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It was really good to see [Domi] today,” Montreal goaltender Carey Price said. “He brings a lot of enthusiasm to our locker room and on the ice.

“He’s a vocal guy and he’s got a unique laugh that everybody loves to hear.”

Domi had 17 goals and 27 assists in 71 games this season.

The season is scheduled to restart with a best-of-five qualifying round beginning Aug. 1 in Toronto and Edmonton. The Canadiens will face the Pittsburgh Penguins in Toronto.

Globe And Mail LOADED: 07.21.2020 1188861 Montreal Canadiens outstanding play, but at the end of the day we’re all going to need to play over our heads to win.

“When we play on top of our game we feel like we can play with anybody Stu on Sports: Canadiens' Carey Price has a good strategy for Penguins in the league,” Price added. “They’re obviously a very talented hockey club, but we’re pretty confident in our abilities as well.”

Max Domi, who missed the first week of training camp during Phase 3 of Stu Cowan Publishing date:Jul 21, 2020 • • 9 minute read the NHL’s Return to Play Plan, hit the ice for the first time Monday in Brossard. Domi, who is a Type 1 diabetic and also has celiac disease,

took last week to decide is it was a good idea health-wise for him to play Canadiens goalie Carey Price has a pretty good strategy for trying to during the pandemic. shut down the Pittsburgh Penguins’ dynamic duo of Sidney Crosby and “It was really good to see him today,” Price said about Domi. “He brings a Evgeni Malkin during their first-round postseason series. lot of enthusiasm to our locker room and on the ice he’s a vocal guy and “Well, I mean, we could ask them nicely to stay at the hotel for the he’s got a unique laugh that everybody loves to hear.” games,” Price said during a video conference after the Canadiens Coach Claude Julien said during a video conference after practice that practised Monday at the Bell Sports Complex in Brossard. he has yet to decide whether he will use Domi at centre or on the wing The Canadiens had a 1-1-1 record against the Penguins during the against the Penguins. regular season. Crosby missed the first two games — a Canadiens 4-1 “I think he can play both,” Julien said. “So there’s no issues there. That’s win in Pittsburgh on Dec. 10 and a 3-2 win by the Penguins in overtime at a good part about a lot of these players where there’s a versatility in their the Bell Centre on Jan. 4 — while recovering from surgery to repair a game that they can be used at both. I keep saying it over and over again, core-muscle injury. Crosby was back in the lineup when the Penguins anybody that can play centre can play wing, but somebody who has beat the Canadiens 4-1 in Pittsburgh on Feb. 14, picking up three never played the centre position — has only played wing — may have a assists. Malkin played all three games against the Canadiens and was harder time. So we’re blessed to have a lot of players who can play both limited to two assists. positions.” Crosby didn’t take part in the Penguins’ intra-squad scrimmage Monday Phillip Danault, Ryan Poehling, Victor Mete, Cale Fleury and goalie in Pittsburgh after missing practice on Sunday. Crosby left Saturday’s Cayden Primeau skated as a separate group before the start of intra-squad scrimmage in Pittsburgh during the second period and did Monday’s practice. Brett Kulak and Xavier Ouellet, who have yet to take not return. The NHL will not allow teams to comment on any injuries or part in a practice during Phase 3, were absent again. positive COVID-19 cases as part of its Return to Play Plan. Here’s how the lines and defence pairings looked at practice: The Canadiens and Penguins will play Game 1 of their series on Aug. 1 in Toronto. Tatar – Weal – Gallagher

If Crosby and Malkin are together at that time, the Penguins’ power play Drouin – Suzuki – Armia will be something the Canadiens will have to worry about. The Penguins ranked 16th in the NHL on the power play this season despite Crosby Byron – Kotkaniemi – Lehkonen missing 28 games. In the 41 games Crosby played, he had 16-31-47 Hudon – Evans – Weise totals, including 4-13-17 on the power play. Malkin had 25-49-74 totals in 55 games, including 7-17-24 on the power play. Belzile – Domi – Dauphin

Price asking Crosby and Malkin to remain in their hotel rooms during the Chiarot – Weber games in Toronto is a good idea, but it obviously won’t work if they’re healthy. Olofsson – Petry

“Or we can work as a group and take their time and space away,” Price Brook – Folin said. “That’s kind of a common recipe for shutting any power play down Juulsen is applying pressure at the right times, making quality saves and gutting out timely kills.” When asked if he’s concerned about whether Kulak and Ouellet will be available for Phase 4, when the playoffs begin in Toronto, Julien said: After the Canadiens missed the playoffs last season, I asked Price during “We’re not even there yet, so I would say no. There’s nothing I can tell a scrum what he would say to unrestricted free agents to try and you right now except that they cannot practise with us right now. They’re convince them to sign with Montreal. ‘unavailable for practice,’ that’s all there is right now. Again, we’re not in “I would tell them that, obviously, my window is growing smaller and I Phase 4. When Phase 4 comes around we’ll have our roster and the right really want to win — more than ever,” Price said. “So I think that should number of players for us to go to Toronto.” be a pretty good indication of how bad we want to win here.” Life at camp

The Canadiens should have missed the playoffs for the third straight Price is alone in Montreal, leaving his wife — who is pregnant — and season and the fourth time in five years, but they are getting an their two young daughters at her parent’s home in Kennewick, Wash. unexpected chance with this year’s 24-team postseason because of COVID-19. So is Price, who has won a Hart Trophy as the NHL’s most “The bachelor life’s been an adjustment,” Price said. “It’s been tough valuable player, a Vézina Trophy as the top goalie, an Olympic gold being away from the girls. Obviously, at this time in their lives they’re medal, a , an AHL championship and gold at the growing quickly. Liv (4) is at an age where she definitely understands world juniors, but has never won the Stanley Cup and has a 25-31 record what’s going on and is missing me at home. So that makes things a little in NHL playoff games with the Canadiens. bit more difficult, but we’re dealing with it and moving on.”

“For sure, I think everybody realizes that we didn’t have this opportunity Price added that the Canadiens’ training camp has brought back looking at it in the spring,” Price said. “So it’s definitely another roll of the memories of his junior days with the Tri-City Americans. dice for us, another kick at the can. I think everybody’s really excited and enthusiastic about the opportunity to, obviously, play the Pittsburgh “You go to the rink and you go home and sit on the couch,” he said. “I Penguins, but hopefully move on from there.” think, obviously, without me having my family here it’s a different lifestyle at this particular time, so I’m watching a lot of movies and FaceTiming a Price is going to have to play extremely well if the Canadiens are going to lot.” have a chance to beat the Penguins and move on. The last time the Canadiens were in the playoffs three years ago, Price posted a 1.86 As for his on-ice work during training camp, Price said: “I’m just trying to goals-against average and a .933 save percentage but it wasn’t enough be as efficient as possible out there. To be honest, it doesn’t seem like as they lost to the New York Rangers in six games in the first round. we stopped playing that long ago. So I feel like everybody showed up and was ready to go right off the get-go. Everybody seemed pretty well “At the end of the day, we’re going to win and lose as a team and it’s prepared for the possibility of coming back. Everybody seemed like always been like that,” Price said. “I can sway the odds with, obviously, they’re in pretty good shape. So we’re just trying to prepare just as if we had just finished the season.”

Mete feeling good

Mete’s season was supposed to be over after he suffered a broken foot during a game on Feb. 18 in Detroit.

But the four-month break because of COVID-19 allowed his foot to heal and he was able to start training again after his walking boot was taken off in late March. While Domi couldn’t find any ice to skate before reporting to Brossard for training camp, he was able to work out every day because he has a full gym at his summer cottage and he also did Pilates five times a week.

“It went actually better than I thought it was going to be during all that,” he said during a video conference after Monday’s practice. “It’s been good and feeling good on it, too.”

Mete is hoping to earn a spot on the second defence pairing beside Jeff Petry.

“I mean, I would love to play alongside Petey and hopefully I’m able to,” Mete said. “So I just got to keep working hard here with what we’ve got in camp and just get ready for the play-in rounds.”

Mete is in the final season of a three-year, US$2.61-million contract with a $748,333 salary-cap hit and can become a restricted free agent after the season. The 22-year-old defenceman said he hasn’t had any conversations with GM Marc Bergevin about a new contract.

Poehling managing expectations

This was an up-and-down year for forward Ryan Poehling, who got off to a rough start when he suffered a concussion during a preseason game in Bathurst, N.B., and as a result started the season with the AHL’s .

The 21-year-old had 5-8-13 totals in 36 games with the Rocket and 1-1-2 totals in 27 games with the Canadiens.

Poehling’s NHL career got off to a magical start in the season finale last year when he scored three goals and added another in a shootout as the Canadiens beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 6-5 at the Bell Centre. That resulted in some high expectations coming into this season for the Canadiens’ first-round pick (25th overall) at the 2017 NHL Draft.

“I think the biggest thing is just staying true to yourself,” Poehling said in a video conference after Monday’s practice. “For me there’s so many high expectations of myself and I expect the same thing. But I think it’s just don’t do anything special and just be who you are. I mean, there’s a reason you are where you are. Where I am is because they’ve trusted me and I’ve done what I can do. So I think if I can just do that and be the person that I am and be the player that I am, I think that’s just what I have to stick to.”

Poehling credited Rocket coach Joël Bouchard for helping him find his game during his time in Laval.

“He just would tell me to play fast,” Poehling said. “Don’t think as much and just play your game and play fast. So that’s helped out a lot. Some of the better games I’ve played is where I’m just moving quick and kind of finding open lanes and being the first guy there and not really thinking too much and having that hesitation. So I think those are the kind of things that I got more consistent at at the end of the year and I was playing a lot better hockey.”

Montreal Gazette LOADED: 07.21.2020 1188862 Montreal Canadiens best guess is the players are practising on their own because they were exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19.

Victor Mete, Cayden Primeau and Cale Fleury are the other members of Max Domi joins Canadiens at training camp in Brossard the five-man group.

Montreal Gazette LOADED: 07.21.2020

:Pat Hickey •

Publishing date:Jul 20, 2020 •

After a week of weighing the possible risks to his health associated with COVID-19, Max Domi decided to join the Canadiens for Phase 3 of the NHL’s Return to Play Plan.

Domi was on the ice for training camp at the Bell Sports Complex in Brossard Monday morning, ending speculation over whether he would play in the NHL postseason, which is Phase 4. Before the start of Phase 3 training camp last Monday, Domi asked the Canadiens for 7-10 days to assess his situation. Domi is a Type 1 diabetic and also deals with celiac disease. Both conditions require him to strictly monitor his diet and also make him more susceptible to autoimmune diseases.

The return of Domi provides coach Claude Julien with opportunity, but also the challenge of how to put all the parts together on his forward lines.

On Monday, Domi skated at centre on the fifth line with and Alex Belzile as his wingers and Julien said he was giving Domi some time to catch up with his teammates.

“We have a program in place to gradually build the guys up to be in better shape,” Julien said. “Well, he’s just jumped into the second week when the guys have a pretty good pace. The pace was a challenge for him. We saw it with the guys in the first week. The first day, the second day, they got better and so forth. He’ll get better as we go forward. Max is going to be honest when he tells you it was a tough practice … and we’re gonna tell you, from a coaching viewpoint, he did a good job for his first day.”

Domi will be a top-nine forward when the Canadiens open the best-of- five playoff qualifying round against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Aug. 1 in Toronto, but the question for Julien on Monday was whether Domi will be a centre or a winger.

“He can play both,” Julien said. “That’s the good part about a lot of the players we have, there’s a versatility to their game. I keep saying it over and over again, anybody that can play centre can play wing. But someone who’s never played the centre position and has only played wing may have a harder time (playing centre).”

If Domi plays centre, it will affect Jesperi Kotkaniemi and, possibly, Nick Suzuki.

Kotkaniemi has been drawing raves since training camp began because of his improved skating and shooting. The 20-year-old appears to be bigger and stronger. He’s currently skating at centre on the third line with Artturi Lehkonen and Paul Byron and it figures that Domi will slide into that spot. Kotkaniemi could drop down to the fourth line, but Jordan Weal and Jake Evans would probably get the nod ahead of him because they are better defensively and can also kill penalties. These are important considerations against a high-powered offensive team like the Penguins.

The other alternative is to find a spot for Kotkaniemi on the wing, which would make him available for additional ice time on the power play.

Suzuki is likely to stay at centre on the No. 2 line with Jonathan Drouin and Joel Armia because he is more defensively responsible than Domi.

Defencemen Brett Kulak and Xavier Ouellet continue to be absent from training camp and that’s a concern because Kulak was pencilled in for a top-four role as Jeff Petry’s partner.

Goaltender Michael McNiven left practice early on Monday after he was hit in the mask by a shot from Shea Weber.

Meanwhile, there is still a five-man group — including first-line centre Phil Danault — practising before the main session.

Ryan Poehling, who is also in the five-man group, shed some light on the situation when he said the Canadiens were following an NHL directive. But, of course, nobody can talk about it because of NHL guidelines. The 1188863 Montreal Canadiens forwards in mid-November for that depth to disappear and a downward spiral to set in for the Canadiens.

So, it is fragile. Claude Julien lost his fourth-line security blanket, but he might not need Julien’s fourth line that night in Toronto was Thompson between Paul one Byron and Jordan Weal, and he chose them to start the game on the road, knowing full well Mike Babcock could counter with Auston Matthews or John Tavares. Julien didn’t care. That is the comfort By Arpon Basu Jul 20, 2020 someone like Thompson provides. That is what Julien no longer has.

But what Julien could have instead is a fourth line built on offence, one that won’t necessarily provide the situational security Julien has normally It is quite obvious Claude Julien misses Nate Thompson. He wishes he had on a fourth line but would accentuate the weak-link strength of his were still around, helping to solve a problem that probably will force attack. Domi’s arrival at training camp, thus creating the possibility that Julien to lose some sleep in the coming days and weeks. he will play in this tournament, allows Julien to do this. All he needs to do But Thompson is wearing Philadelphia Flyers colours now. Nick Cousins is embrace it. is with the Vegas Golden Knights. And Julien doesn’t have the type of The player most impacted by Domi’s arrival is Jesperi Kotkaniemi. That is player he has long favoured to play on his fourth line. Veteran guys. A obvious. But conventional wisdom is that Julien might have to choose centre who can win a key faceoff. Guys who can kill penalties and between the two because the fourth line would not be a good place for forecheck and be physical and bring energy. either player. That is working under the assumption that this fourth line It is a very traditional definition of a fourth-line role, but it is one Julien will be a typical Julien fourth line, which it quite clearly won’t. values a great deal. Having a fourth line he can rely on in certain high- Jake Evans has lots of promise and Julien likes him, but he’s a rookie, leverage situations brings him a certain degree of comfort. Just look at and there’s no getting around that. So he will not be getting the difficult how Thompson was used this season, with roughly 36 percent of his assignments Thompson used to get, and there is no clear candidate on shifts starting in the offensive zone. the Canadiens roster to take on that responsibility. So perhaps the best There’s a reason Thompson has been traded at the deadline three years way around that problem is to spread around the responsibility by in a row; it’s because coaches of playoff teams generally love having building three truly balanced lines behind Danault’s top line. players like him around to be used exactly the way Julien used him. So far, it looks like Julien is quite fond of his second line of Jonathan Julien doesn’t have a guy like Thompson right now or even a guy like Drouin, Nick Suzuki and Joel Armia. If Domi comes back as a centre, Cousins. He will have to go into a postseason situation without that either Kotkaniemi or Evans would have to move to the wing to stay in the security blanket, and it is unclear right now how he will do it. Julien lineup. Julien was asked Monday whether he sees Domi playing at left himself doesn’t even appear to know. wing or at centre, and he immediately responded that Domi can play both. When it came to Kotkaniemi, there was a touch more reticence. “It’s hard for me to answer that question because I don’t know, at this moment, what my fourth line is going to look like,” Julien said Monday. “Well, I haven’t seen him play too much wing; I’ve seen him more at “And I mean that; we’ve got a lot of different parts coming in and, again, centre,” Julien said. “But you know what? Like I’ve always said, I think a so many things can happen. There’s guys that are going to be in, some centreman can always play wing; a winger who hasn’t played centre, it’s guys out. Is there going to be injuries? Is there going to be different a very demanding position. So definitely, if need be, I’m sure he could things happening? It’s hard for me to answer you right now because definitely play there.” we’re still a ways away from getting to that situation. “If need be” is an interesting way of putting it because the need here “I don’t know if I’ll have the same kind of personnel on my fourth line that would be to ensure Kotkaniemi is in the lineup. It is not only for his I’ve had in the past where there was some experienced guys, and there development — though that is a consideration that should be part of the were some guys that played a certain way that allowed me to do that. I equation — but it also comes down to the question of whether the don’t know what we’re going to look like, to be honest with you, by the Canadiens are a better team with Kotkaniemi in the lineup or Dale Weise, time we get to our fourth line and we get to our first game.” who has been playing left wing on the fourth line throughout camp.

The arrival of Max Domi at Canadiens training camp Monday — after Seems obvious the answer is Kotkaniemi. Except Weise is the player sitting out the first week to make sure it was safe for him as someone who most resembles what Julien has traditionally relied upon to play on who lives with Type 1 diabetes and Celiac disease — makes the fourth- his fourth line in the past: a veteran player with lots of playoff experience, line dilemma only more complicated for Julien, in a way. Yes, Domi’s one who can kill penalties, forecheck, be physical and provide some talent as an offensive player will always be welcomed, but it could mean energy. So it would be a bit of a departure for Julien to take out a veteran the fourth line will look even less like a typical Julien fourth line than such as Weise and leave in a rookie such as Evans or an even younger before. player such as Kotkaniemi. But the situation might call for a departure.

But what if Julien looked at this as an opportunity as opposed to a You could go with a line of Byron, Domi and Weal, then go with Evans, problem? What if there is a better way for this team to use its fourth line Kotkaniemi and Artturi Lehkonen and simply split the minutes more than what Julien has done for years? evenly than you normally would with a traditional fourth line.

What if you took an apparent weakness and turned it into a strength? “That’s how we have to operate if we’re going to play the style of game we’re playing,” Julien said before that game in Toronto in October. “I After a come-from-behind shootout win in Toronto in the Canadiens’ think it’s a very demanding (style of) game, and I think in order to be second game of the season in October, I wrote a story about how the successful at that, you need everybody playing a certain amount of Canadiens have a weak-link offence and how their only chance of minutes but playing at the type of speed and type of pace that we’re surviving against strong-link teams in their division — such as the Maple looking for.” Leafs, Bruins and Lightning — might be to double down on their weak- link strength. Read the story for more detail on weak-link and strong-link The Pittsburgh Penguins are definitely a strong-link team, a two-headed sports, but basically it refers to sports in which it is better for your worst monster with Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin centering potent lines players to be better than the other team’s worst players as opposed to that the Canadiens will have difficulty matching up with. If Julien had sports in which having the best player gives you the best chance to win. Thompson, there is little doubt he would use him to try to slow down one of the big lines. But he doesn’t. The Canadiens, at least at forward, are built like a weak-link team. They have an excellent top line in Phillip Danault, Brendan Gallagher and The idea of sending Suzuki or Kotkaniemi or Evans or even Domi out Tomas Tatar without any superstar components to it. After that, they against one of Crosby or Malkin on a consistent basis does not sound all have several good forwards, skilled guys who can skate and play smart that appealing. But if they were to share the job, take it in small doses, hockey. When completely healthy, the Canadiens have shown the ability perhaps that would give them a better chance of surviving those shifts to grind opponents with a high-intensity forechecking game that comes while hoping to win the other matchups the Penguins present in their as a result of that depth and speed. Of course, it only took injuries to two bottom six by relying on how deep in their lineup the Canadiens’ talent goes, a well that was made deeper Monday with Domi’s arrival at camp. And maybe Julien already knows that.

When asked Monday how his more experienced wingers can help insulate his young centres, Julien’s answer reflected a reality he can’t run from.

“Just by doing their job well and a lot of communication on the ice and making sure in these weeks here that they’re working with some of those guys, that they have good communication, that they build some chemistry and some good understanding of what needs to be done,” he said. “I think that’s what you do here for the time being. At the same time, you have a lot of confidence in your young players, and you’re going to have to show that confidence in them.

“If you think they can do the job, you’re going to have to give them an opportunity to do it.”

This is a big test for the Canadiens, but it could be one in which development and winning form a happy marriage, in which the best development plan is also the best game plan. Julien has an opportunity to embrace his team’s current reality and run with it. And who knows? Maybe this new way of defining a fourth line will even grow on the kindly old coach and change the way he sees that fourth-line role for good.

The Athletic LOADED: 07.21.2020 1188864 Nashville Predators

Predators defenseman Roman Josi named Norris Trophy finalist

Paul Skrbina

Roman Josi has a case for the trophy.

A strong case.

The Predators' captain was named one of three finalists, along with the Capitals' John Carlson and the Lightning's Victor Hedman, on Monday for the Norris Trophy, awarded to the defenseman "who demonstrates throughout the season the greatest all-round ability in the position."

It marked the first time in Josi's nine-year career he was named a finalist. He has finished fifth twice and seventh twice.

The award is voted on by members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association. The winner will be announced during the conference finals of the NHL's 24-team tournament.

“It’s a huge honor and a lot of guys who’ve won it are definitely guys you look up to,” Josi said Monday during a conference call with reporters. “One of the toughest things in the NHL is playing well consistently. That was probably the biggest step I took this year.”

Carlson led all defenseman in points (75) and assists (60) in 69 games. Josi, who leads the Predators in points (65), is second in the league in that category after setting career highs and franchise records for defensemen in goals (16, tied for second in the league) and assists (49, second in the league) during the shortened regular season.

He did so while playing 25 minutes, 47 seconds per game, third in the league behind Thomas Chabot and Drew Doughty. His 0.94 points per game are third among defensemen.

"I always said winning the Norris Trophy is a dream of mine," Josi said in April. "There's so many guys who had an unbelievable year. ... It's an honor for me to be in the conversation."

Josi's metrics further back up his case for first place. He was tops among defensemen with 8.4 zone exits, 5.4 zone entries and 55 seconds of offensive-zone puck possession per game, according to thepointhockey.com.

He also was second among all players with 2:32 of puck possession time per game and first with 260 shots on goal.

His play has dazzled new coach John Hynes, who was caught in awe again during practice Sunday at Bridgestone Arena when Josi weaved through a few defenders to beat Pekka Rinne for a goal.

"He does things that not a lot of people can do," Hynes said. "His skill level and decision-making ... they look so natural and fluid. That's what makes him a special player. He has that mind for the game ... and the skill level to go through with it."

Josi, 30, signed an eight-year, $72.472 million contract extension in October.

P.K. Subban, who won the Norris Trophy in 2012-13 while with the Canadiens, finished third twice after that, including 2017-18 when he was with the Predators. Rinne won the Vezina Trophy that year, the only time in team history a player has won a league award for on-ice achievements.

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Boomer Esiason determined to turn Islanders granddaughter into Rangers fan

By Dani MohrJuly 20, 2020 | 1:54PM

Although Windsor Grace Martin has an Islanders father, former NFL star Boomer Esiason persistently insists that his new granddaughter will be a Rangers fan.

When the baby was born, she appeared to be wrapped in a white blanket with red and blue stripes. Esiason, who is an unabashed New York Rangers fan, shared a photo and tweeted, “Love the red, white and blue stripes on the blanket! That’s my girl!”

“I think somebody went in there and did the right thing,” Esiason said during WFAN’s “Boomer & Gio” morning show. “They sent a subliminal message as they put her into the first thing she was laying in. That’s where it starts. Some things are meant to be, that’s all I can tell you.”

On Friday, Islanders’ Matt Martin replied to Esiason’s original tweet with a photo attachment of baby Winnie wrapped in an Islanders fleece, “You seem confused (Boomer), so let me clear it up for you. #LGI”

Esiason was undeterred, though. Esiason said he then took that photo and changed the Islanders logo to a Rangers one.

“Some things are meant to be be, that’s all I can tell you,” Esiason said Monday. “I am not confused. I know exactly, when it comes to the end of this whole thing she will be a Rangers. And I am sure annoying my daughter right now.”

Gregg Giannotti additionally commented on what the Rangers could have done once Boomer voiced support for seeing his grandchild in the team’s colors.

“If they had a social media person on top of this, they could’ve congratulated the two new parents and say ‘Welcome to the Ranger fan family, I know Boompa is gonna make that happen.’ That would have been the troll job of all troll jobs.”

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Islanders enforcer Ross Johnston getting opportunity to show he belongs in playoff lineup

By Andrew Gross

Updated July 20, 2020 9:07 PM

Ross Johnston wants to make his NHL playoff debut this season, even if the hub city bubbles will be different from any previous postseason.

The Islanders’ burly left wing is in a training camp battle for playing time with several other forwards. On Monday, Johnston earned his best opportunity so far to state his case.

Coach Barry Trotz shifted Johnston onto Brock Nelson’s line with Josh Bailey. There’s little doubt those two will be in the lineup for Game 1 of the Islanders’ best-of-five qualifying series against the Panthers on Aug. 1 in Toronto.

“Coming into this camp, everyone is on an even playing field,” Johnston said after the second and final week of Training Camp 2.0 began at Northwell Health Ice Center in East Meadow. “For the guys that are in and out of the lineup, it’s a fresh opportunity and a clean slate to prove yourself within these two weeks that we have to work our way into a lineup spot and at least make it difficult for the coaches to decide who they want to put in for that first game.”

The 6-5, 235-pound Johnston, 26, played in a career-high 32 games before the season was paused on March 12 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, with three goals, one assist and a career-high 78 penalty minutes.

Anthony Beauvillier had been playing on Nelson’s wing but Trotz moved him onto Jean-Gabriel Pageau’s line with Derick Brassard for Monday’s practice. Tom Kuhnhackl, Michael Dal Colle and, briefly, Kieffer Bellows, have also received time working on Pageau’s line during camp.

Trotz said he liked what he saw on Monday after criticizing his team for a sloppy, three-period scrimmage on Sunday.

“I think everyone may be in the same spot physically, it’s mentally where they are,” Trotz said. “Ross wants to be in the lineup, so he’s taken advantage. He’s got some confidence. I think there is a trust with me. I’ve tried to reward a couple of guys in practice.

“Ross gets into people,” Trotz added. “He’s really good defensively. He gets on you offensively. He puts a little heat on you. They don’t like the big train coming at you. He’s settling in as a good pro and he’s had a good camp so far.”

But Johnston was not in the lineup for nine of the Islanders’ final 10 games before the season was paused. He did not play at all in either of the Islanders’ playoff series last season, a four-game sweep of the Penguins before being swept in four games by the Hurricanes.

“I don’t have too much playoff experience,” Johnston said. “But I think it’s kind of foreign for everyone, what we’re going into.”

No fans will be in the seats either in Toronto or Edmonton as the players will be quarantined in an arena/hotel bubble.

Johnston, never shy of protecting his teammates as an enforcer, was asked whether being in a relatively quiet building might temper what he says to opponents after the whistle, lest it be heard on broadcasts.

“That might be something I’ve got to feel out,” he said. “It’s something that a lot of us haven’t really gone through since minor hockey. I guess we’ll have to adapt as we go along.”

Johnston was also asked whether players might shy away from fighting in deference to COVID-19 concerns.

“I don’t really know how to answer that,” Johnston said. “Not too many guys know what to expect in the environment we’re going into. If the fighting stuff comes up and things get edgy, that’s part of hockey. It’s not on my mind but, at the end of the day, things happen.”

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Isles' Josh Ho-Sang shows his musical side, streaming a song he wrote

By Andrew Gross

Updated July 20, 2020 5:31 PM

Josh Ho-Sang may not have a future in the Islanders’ organization as an impending restricted free agent who was loaned to the Blues’ AHL affiliate in February.

But maybe the former first-round pick can also forge a music career.

On Monday, Ho-Sang premiered his song, “Learning,” on Audiomack, a free music streaming and audio distribution platform that allows artists to upload their work. He also penned a first-person essay on his experiences in hockey and explained his reasons for expressing himself musically.

“There once was a child who dreamed big,” Ho-Sang raps in “Learning.” “They said he was wild. They said he was crazy. They said he was lazy. They told him to grow up, stop being a baby and be realistic. See, everyone’s a critic.”

Ho-Sang wrote in his essay he “started making music for fun when I was young,” while acknowledging he was “nervous” to reveal this side of his personality.

He added he has been “challenged many times for not staying within a structure and for speaking frankly.”

“For a long time, I have felt as though I have not been able to be myself and use my voice with power,” Ho-Sang wrote.

Ho-Sang, now 24, also recounted the “ridicule” he endured after oversleeping on his first day at Islanders’ training camp in 2015 and immediately being returned to his junior hockey team.

“I was 19 and had no idea how to deal with the scrutiny from strangers concerning, what was to me, a traumatic experience,” Ho-Sang wrote. “On the flip side, this event led me on a learning journey.”

Roll call

Defenseman Sebastian Aho skated for the first time during training camp, working with a secondary group that also included goalies Christopher Gibson and Jakub Skarek, defenseman Grant Hutton and forwards Oliver Wahlstrom, Otto Koivula and Kieffer Bellows…Leo Komarov remains the only Islander yet to skate during training camp.

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NHL reports 2 positive COVID-19 tests in Phase 3

By Andrew Gross

Updated July 20, 2020 4:51 PM

The first week of full training camps for the resumption of the NHL season brought just two positive COVID-19 tests among more than 800 players, a healthy indication the 24 teams will be able to report to their hub cities later this week without issue.

The NHL on Monday released its fourth weekly report of COVID-19 testing. It was, significantly, the first one including all the players expected to participate in the games at Toronto or Edmonton. The teams will travel to the quarantined arena/hotel bubble in their hub city on Sunday.

The NHL reported it administered 2,618 tests to more than 800 players in the five days since formal training camps — Phase 3 — opened on July 13 at team facilities. NHL players are being tested every other day, at a minimum.

The two players who did test positive have self-isolated, the NHL reported.

NHL policy — negotiated with the NHL Players’ Association — is not to identify the individual players who test positive or their team.

“The NHL has probably done the most thorough job in terms of staying on top of things and keeping people informed,” Islanders coach Barry Trotz said after the report was released. “The players have been very professional and understanding the importance of the procedures and how it affects the whole group.”

The first three weekly reports released by the NHL were based on tests administered during the voluntary, small-group workouts at the team facilities that began on June 8.

During that Phase 2, the NHL administered 4,934 COVID-19 tests to more than 600 players, with 30 confirmed positive results. In addition, the NHL reported 13 players tested positive outside of Phase 2 protocols.

Each of the teams participating in the NHL’s return-to-play plan can bring a maximum of 52 people, including players, coaches, management, doctors, trainers and equipment staff, to their hub city bubble.

Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 07.21.2020 1188869 New York Islanders “We’re not a hard match (with our forwards), but if you look at Florida, Barkov and Huberdeau play substantial minutes,” Trotz said. “Over a series, if we can spread out those responsibilities to all four of our lines, it could give us an advantage, maybe wear them down a little bit.” Why J-G Pageau, after a reset, might be the Islanders’ X-factor in the playoffs The faceoffs could be a big factor, as well. Pageau took the 17th-most faceoffs (1,149) in the league this season, including 199 shorthanded draws, and his 53.5 win percentage was 13th of the 28 centers who took at least 1,000. Cizikas is the No. 1 shorthanded center, but Pageau as an By Arthur Staple Jul 20, 2020 option — and you might even see them both on the ice for key D-zone shorthanded or 5-on-6 draws — means the Isles can be a bit more aggressive in the faceoff circle when down a man. Or up one: Pageau Life was already strange and hectic enough for J-G Pageau in the weeks has been practicing with Barzal’s power-play unit, making Pageau the after his Feb. 24 trade to the Islanders. Aside from old friend and likely draw-taker at the start of a power play. teammate Derick Brassard, Pageau barely knew anyone on his new team and had the burden of trying to justify the six-year, $30-million Brassard is a lock to be on Pageau’s right when the games begin. The contract he signed the day the Isles sent their 2020 first- and second- left wing slot is really the only open position among the top 12 forwards, round picks to the Senators. especially with Leo Komarov (eye) still sidelined. Michael Dal Colle started there last Monday, replaced within a couple of days by Tom Pageau had his first goal as an Islander the next night against the Kuhnhackl. On Monday, Anthony Beauvillier dropped down to Pageau’s Rangers — and also his first fight, jumping the Rangers’ Jacob Trouba left and Ross Johnston worked with Nelson and Bailey. If that last option after a borderline hit. Pageau scored again two nights later in St. Louis. works well, Beauvillier-Pageau-Brassard essentially becomes the second But then he went cold, scoreless and pointless in five straight games as line, an option that Trotz never had this season. the Islanders struggled to find points and Pageau struggled to fit in. The Isles went 0-3-4 in Pageau’s seven games, a weird reflection of his own If the Islanders are going anywhere in this tournament, plenty of familiar difficulty fitting in as the team played well at times but couldn’t get any faces will be leading the way. The newer one in Pageau may be the key wins. to it all.

Then came the pandemic. Pageau locked down with his wife in Ottawa The Athletic LOADED: 07.21.2020 and had time to reset; a further reset came with last week’s Phase 3 camp, where Barry Trotz’s reinforced the Isles’ fundamentals. “During the season, you don’t get to practice much and they get shorter and shorter when you do,” Pageau said. “To have this little training camp and go over the systems, it’s a huge help.”

Trotz will need Pageau at his best when the puck drops on Aug. 1 in Toronto against the Panthers. Casey Cizikas back and healthy gives Trotz his junkyard dog at center; Mathew Barzal and Brock Nelson anchoring the top two lines gives the Islanders their best chance at producing offense. A fully focused Pageau in the third hole may be the X- factor in the series. A 26-goal scorer and a 54-percent faceoff winner, Pageau may be the only Islanders forward who sees regular power play and penalty kill time.

Pageau is also one of the Islanders’ better playoff performers. His 12 playoff goals in 35 postseason games rank behind only his buddy Brassard and Johnny Boychuk, both of whom have been to a Stanley Cup final. In the 2017 second round, Pageau had one of the great playoff games of the last decade, capping a four-goal game with an overtime winner in Game 2 of Ottawa’s six-game series win over the Rangers.

In short, Pageau could be the player in this tournament that Lou Lamoriello and Trotz envisioned tipping the scales in the Isles’ favor when Lamoriello gave up a big part of the team’s assets to acquire and then sign the 27-year-old.

“He’s had good playoffs just because of the player he is. He’s hard on pucks, on the right side of people, doesn’t bury himself and he capitalizes on his positional play,” Trotz said.

The Panthers’ top four lines have been as follows through their first week of camp:

Frank Vatrano-Aleksander Barkov-Evgenii Dadonov

Jonathan Huberdeau-Erik Haula-Mike Hoffman

Lucas Wallmark-Brian Boyle-Brett Connolly

Colton Sceviour-Noel Acciari-Mark Pysyk

Florida may be top-six heavy, but the Panthers, like the Isles in Pageau and Cizikas, have bottom-six forwards who have had productive seasons. Acciari had back-to-back hat tricks and 20 goals; Connolly, a Cup winner with Trotz and the Capitals two years ago, had 19 this season. Boyle also has a playoff track record, some of which came against the Isles.

The Islanders cannot afford for that third line to be the black hole it was for much of the season, when Brassard, Josh Bailey or whoever stepped in to anchor a group that played barely 7-8 even-strength minutes a night. 1188870 New York Rangers

Rangers’ Brendan Lemieux suspended two games for controversial hit

By Larry BrooksJuly 20, 2020 | 7:49PM

So the number of games the depth-challenged Rangers will be without Brendan Lemieux for the qualifying series against Carolina is two.

That’s the length of the harsh, but neither unfair nor unreasonable, suspension the NHL has handed down in the aftermath of the winger’s gratuitous elbow to the head of Colorado’s unsuspecting winger Joonas Donskoi at the 17:08 of the third period the Rangers’ 3-2 overtime defeat in Colorado in the club’s final game on March 11.

Chances are Lemieux, who is considered a repeat offender after having previously been suspended while with Winnipeg for an elbow to the head of Florida’s Vincent Trocheck in a Nov. 2, 2018 match in Helsinki, would have received a five-game regular season sentence. If one applies the informal and unwritten one-for-three rule, then Lemieux could perhaps have escaped with only missing the Aug. 1 opener.

But the league was not likely to give the benefit of the doubt to Lemieux, who was fined $2,000 earlier in this season for an elbow to the head of Cody Glass in Las Vegas on Dec. 8. If the suspension was harsh, it was surely within the margin of error.

The Rangers, of course, knew they would start without the fourth-line left wing, who had been at his most effective in months while combining with linemates Greg McKegg and Julien Gauthier in a previous iteration. The Blueshirts have changed their alignment practicing post-Covid-19 without No. 48 in their top 12. Howden has worked with McKegg and Lemieux while Phil DiGiuseppe flipped down to the third unit in order to accommodate Chris Kreider’s return from the injury list (when we knew what at least some of the injuries were).

But that’s it. Combined with the top-heavy first two units anchored one- two, two-one (or is that, one, too?) by presumptive Hart finalist Artemi Panarin and the splendid Mika Zibanejad and the third line that becomes so much more dangerous and credible if Kaapo Kakko can carry the urgency and pace he displayed during the first week of practice into the tournament, that’s the entirety of the varsity without Lemieux.

It surely remains to be seen whether David Quinn, who hadn’t quite found a meaningful purpose for the fourth line in nearly two years until the Blueshirts acquired Gauthier from Carolina on Feb. 18 and placed him in the lineup the following night, has the depth to withstand a significant injury and still make a meaningful run.

This was evident when Pavel Buchnevich was absent from Sunday’s scrimmage after leaving midway through Saturday’s practice with a non- virus related issue. Kakko moved up to the first line, Gauthier to the third and Steve Fogarty up onto the fourth line. Tim Gettinger would presumably be next.

The depth issue is particularly pressing on defense, where the Blueshirts carried only six following the deadline trade of Brady Skjei to Carolina. If injury or illness strikes, the untested but Libor Hajek but more tested than Darren Raddysh would be next.

Of course, there are three goaltenders.

New York Post LOADED: 07.21.2020 1188871 New York Rangers Q: Adam Fox, whatever comes to mind. A: He’s always got a comment about what’s going on. A few guys are

talking, he’s always gotta peek his head in and try to get involved in the Rangers rookie Ryan Lindgren opens up in wide-ranging interview conversation.

Q: Artemi Panarin?

By Steve SerbyJuly 20, 2020 | 7:29PM A: He’s just a really nice guy. Always smiling, very friendly around the rink. Treats people very well, and obviously a heckuva hockey player.

Q: What amazes you about him on the ice? Rookie defenseman Ryan Lindgren chats with The Post’s Steve Serby about the Rangers’ Stanley Cup chances, playing during the pandemic A: Pretty much everything, just the way he plays the game, he kinda and much more. plays at his own pace, and is able to just be so creative and sees the ice so well, always finds the passing lane, always makes the right play. He’s Q: What do you like best about this Rangers team? got a heckuva shot, can always pick the right spot and … yeah, just his hands, and just the way he sees the ice, it’s incredible. A: From an off-ice point of view, just how close everyone is and how much we enjoy being around each other and at the rink together and Submit your Rangers questions here to be answered in an upcoming hanging out, joking around. It’s a very tight group. As a team on the ice, Post mailbag very fast, very skilled, hard-working team, great goaltending. I think that we’re a tough team and can sneak up on a lot of people. The way that we Q: Kaapo Kakko? were playing towards the end of the year, we were a dangerous team. A: Kakko is real shifty, got great hands, very fast … just really quick Q: You think you can make some noise in the playoffs? hands and just be able to get around people … real tough player to defend one-on-one. A: Absolutely. I don’t think there’s a guy in the locker room that doubts that, that we can make some noise going into the playoffs. We’re a great Q: Igor Shesterkin? team and a confident team, and we’re excited to get going. A: Very quick. You think that he might be out of it, he’s able to push over Q: How would you describe your on-ice mentality? real quick and make tremendous saves.

A: From what people say and I guess it’s truth, off-the-ice I’m pretty Q: Henrik Lundqvist? reserved, I guess, and really don’t say a whole lot, and then on the ice I A: He works his butt off, and you can just see why he’s been in the like being physical, I like talking to the other players, and chirping a little league so long and why he’s had so much success. bit. … I just like the intensity of hockey. Q: Mika Zibanejad? Q: Who gave you the nickname The Warrior? A: He’s just so dominant, just the way he can skate. He’s a big guy, he’s A: None of my buddies ever called me that. The announcer at Ann Arbor, such a tremendous skater and be able to fly through the neutral zone and my parents always say, called me The Warrior, so I guess that’s kinda be able to kinda do his own thing. He’s got a great shot, too, and he’s a where it started. great leader as well. Q: But it’s carried over to the Rangers right? Q: Chris Kreider? A: Yeah, maybe that was just kind of a coincidence that that happened. I A: He’s an absolute moose. He takes care of his body, he’s a beast in the guess maybe Sam Rosen and started calling me that too. weight room, he’s always looking to get stronger. He’s got an absolute Q: I would think that’s flattering, Paul O’Neill is remembered as The bullet of a shot. He’s a hard guy to push off the puck. He’s crafty too and Warrior by the Yankees and Yankees fans. he makes great plays.

A: Yeah, definitely flattering. It’s certainly not a bad thing to be called. Q: Jacob Trouba?

Q: Coach (David) Quinn recently said that you play angry … why do you A: Kinda same with Kreider, he’s a big dude, he’s strong, he’s got a play angry? heckuva shot, he defends hard, he’s physical, he’s tough to play against, and he’s a great leader on the back end. A: I wouldn’t say I’m the most skilled guy out there. The way that I think I contribute to the Rangers and to the team is with my physicality, and just Q: Coach Quinn? working hard. … That’s just the way I gotta play, I gotta play mean, that’s A: I knew a lot of guys that played for him at BU (Boston University) and where I’m playing my best hockey. You gotta be tough in front of our net absolutely loved him, and had nothing but good things to say about him, and just use my body and yeah, play angry, I guess. and same goes for here. All the guys like him, and he pushes us to be Q: Is it a skill to get under other players’ skin? the best team we can possibly be. He’s great with the young guys to be able to talk to them and how he’s teaching us new things. A: I think so. When you got the top players on the other team, you’re trying to get in their head a little bit, and I’m trying to hit ’em every chance Q: Brad Marchand’s comments about you in February (“He’s not going to you get. I definitely think that it’s a bonus for your team. be a player there that’s going to have a very long career).”

Q: How good of a trash talker are you? A: Two guys competing. That was an intense game, and we went at it a little, he had some words after the game in an interview. I didn’t put too A: I don’t think I’m great. If I get chirped, I’m not the quickest with the much thought into when he says what he says, what he says doesn’t comebacks. Like you kinda get like a “What’d you say?” Like try to buy worry me at all, doesn’t affect me. myself some time so I could finally think of something. Q: Playing hockey during a pandemic? Q: You don’t initiate it? A: It’s definitely gonna be different, especially the whole aspect of having A: It kinda depends. Kinda heat of the moment if I think of something and no fans, and just kinda being in our little bubble. It’s definitely gonna be a it just kinda comes out. little weird, but it’s still gonna be playoff hockey. Our team’s fired up and excited to get going. Q: Where do you think you need to improve? Q: Any safety concerns? A: I think on the offensive zones, especially trying to pick Foxy’s (Adam Fox) brain with how good he is with the puck and how deceptive he is A: Yeah, you’ve gotta make sure guys are bring smart and doing the right being able to shake a defender off and being able to fake and then get things, but I know everyone’s gonna take it very seriously, and I don’t around a guy and be able to find lanes. … Something I definitely think I think there should be any problems. can work on is just my shiftiness and being able to be more deceptive with the puck. Q: Do you know anyone who has been affected by COVID-19? A: One of my good buddies back home did test positive for it, but he’s Q: You’ll play hockey til you’re 43, right? doing all right. But besides that, very fortunate so far to not know anyone (who’d) had it, but family’s doing well. A: (Laughs) I hope so. No doubt.

Q: You can pick the brain of one player in NHL history? Q: Favorite movie?

A: Maybe a guy like Niklas Lidstrom. Just kinda see what he did that A: Sports movie, “Miracle” is obviously a fun one to watch. My favorite made him so successful and how he approached each game. movie I can probably watch over and over again is probably “Old School.”

Q: Best hockey moment so far? Q: Favorite actor?

A: The World Juniors in 2017, won the gold medal against Canada in a A: Chris Farley or Will Ferrell. shootout. Q: Favorite actress?

Q: Worst hockey moment … aside from this interview? A: Jennifer Aniston.

A: (Laughs) Probably my sophomore year at Minnesota, we had four Q: Favorite singer/entertainer? games against Penn State in a row, all at Penn State, and we needed to win at least one of ’em to make the NCAA Tournament, and losing all A: Luke Combs. four. Q: Favorite meal? Q: How come your father and brothers were all goalies but you’re not? A: Sushi. A: My father played high school in Minnesota and played college at Q: Personal goals? Michigan and my brothers tried it from an early age and ended up liking it. I ended up giving it a try and didn’t like it. A: Just being consistent and working hard every game and trying to be the best player I can be and try to help out the team as much as possible. Q: How old were you? And making sure if I don’t have a great shift or maybe a great game, A: I was probably 5 or 6 years old. I think I let in like 12 goals or (forgetting) about that and looking forward to the next one, making sure I something, started crying on the ice, my dad come out, dragged me out, bounce back and stay consistent throughout the year. and that was it. Q: Career goals? Q: The first time you played at MSG? A: Try to play as long as I can and help the team as long as I can. A: It was my first game, against Carolina, obviously pretty nervous, didn’t Obviously, you want to win a Stanley Cup, you want to help the team get really know what to expect, and just how great the crowd was and we to the playoffs and be successful. ended up winning the game. Just a blast, and just how passionate the Q: What drives you? fans are. A: I guess my family kinda does. I know how proud my parents and my Q: Boyhood idol? whole family, my grandpa, it means a lot to them for sure seeing this A: I always just kinda looked up to my brothers. Just two easy guys to stage of my career being able to play in the NHL, and play for the really look up to. They treated me great, and always included me in Rangers. I know that’s something that’s really special for them, and how things. much time and money they put into helping me go through hockey at such a young age. Just that they’re proud, and that drives me a lot to Q: Favorite athletes growing up? keep going.

A: For the Wild, it was Wes Walz, it was the first hockey jersey my dad Q: Your NHL dream started when you were 5; what’s it like being a New ever bought me; Andrew Brunette, big fan of him, Brian Rolston, Marian York Ranger? Gaborik … big Adrian Peterson when he was there (Vikings), Brett Favre for that one year, it was fun. A: It’s special, no doubt. I can’t believe it sometimes that I’m fortunate enough to play in New York City and to play for the Rangers. Q: Did you have a favorite rink? Q: Your message to Rangers fans? A: I spent most of my time at Minnesota Made, it was in Edina, Minnesota, that was kinda the summer hockey rink that we’d always go A: A hungry team excited to show what we got, and excited to go to and have a bunch of tournaments at. A lot of good memories there. compete. Excited for Game 1 on August 1st.

Q: Three dinner guests? New York Post LOADED: 07.21.2020

A: Chris Farley, Bobby Orr, Tiger Woods.

Q: How’s your golf game?

A: I play about five, six times a week in the summer, and I’m still not very good, but love the game.

Q: What’s your handicap?

A: About a 13.

Q: Why Bobby Orr?

A: Obviously one of the greatest defensemen to ever play the game, so probably pick his brain about a few things.

Q: And of course you’d give Tiger a few pointers.

A: Yeah, I’d try to help him out a little bit, maybe teach him a few things about his swing.

Q: Other athletes outside of hockey you admire?

A: A guy like Tom Brady, who is able to play quarterback at 42, 43 years old and still be successful in the league, it’s something that’s pretty special. Just the way he takes care of himself and just what he does every day is something pretty cool to see. 1188872 New York Rangers

Boomer Esiason determined to turn Islanders granddaughter into Rangers fan

By Dani MohrJuly 20, 2020 | 1:54PM

Although Windsor Grace Martin has an Islanders father, former NFL star Boomer Esiason persistently insists that his new granddaughter will be a Rangers fan.

When the baby was born, she appeared to be wrapped in a white blanket with red and blue stripes. Esiason, who is an unabashed New York Rangers fan, shared a photo and tweeted, “Love the red, white and blue stripes on the blanket! That’s my girl!”

“I think somebody went in there and did the right thing,” Esiason said during WFAN’s “Boomer & Gio” morning show. “They sent a subliminal message as they put her into the first thing she was laying in. That’s where it starts. Some things are meant to be, that’s all I can tell you.”

On Friday, Islanders’ Matt Martin replied to Esiason’s original tweet with a photo attachment of baby Winnie wrapped in an Islanders fleece, “You seem confused (Boomer), so let me clear it up for you. #LGI”

Esiason was undeterred, though. Esiason said he then took that photo and changed the Islanders logo to a Rangers one.

“Some things are meant to be be, that’s all I can tell you,” Esiason said Monday. “I am not confused. I know exactly, when it comes to the end of this whole thing she will be a Rangers. And I am sure annoying my daughter right now.”

Gregg Giannotti additionally commented on what the Rangers could have done once Boomer voiced support for seeing his grandchild in the team’s colors.

“If they had a social media person on top of this, they could’ve congratulated the two new parents and say ‘Welcome to the Ranger fan family, I know Boompa is gonna make that happen.’ That would have been the troll job of all troll jobs.”

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NHL suspends NY Rangers forward Brendan Lemieux for first two games of qualifying round

Vincent Z. Mercogliano

New York Rangers forward Brendan Lemieux will be suspended for the first two games of the upcoming qualifying round series against the Carolina Hurricanes, the NHL's Department of Player Safety confirmed Monday.

The suspension carries over from an interference call against Colorado Avalanche forward Joonas Donskoi on March 11, which turned out to be the final game of the regular season due to the coronavirus pause.

The Department of Player Safety initially held a hearing with Lemieux on March 13, but waited for the "Return to Play" guidelines to be established before making its decision.

Lemieux will be eligible to play in the Rangers’ exhibition game in Toronto against the Islanders on July 29 before serving his suspension. The series against Carolina is scheduled to begin Aug. 1.

The 24-year-old posted 18 points (six goals and 12 assists) in 59 games this season while averaging 12:52 time on ice per game in mostly a fourth-line role. He also led the team with 111 penalty minutes.

The Rangers have been preparing for his absence by shifting Brett Howden to Lemieux's usual left-wing spot on the fourth line, with Greg McKegg entering the lineup to play center. Rookie Julien Gauthier should remain at right wing.

Bergen Record LOADED: 07.21.2020 1188874 New York Rangers "I felt like everything went in," Zibanejad said. "I don’t know if I’ll be able to score at that rate all the time, through a full 82-game season, but I’m hoping that was proving mostly to myself that I’m able to take the next step and able to help the team that way." Analyzing the benefits of playing Artemi Panarin and Mika Zibanejad on separate lines Those two are the clear superstars, but the top two lines weren't one- man shows.

Strome had a career year, finishing third on the team with 59 points (18 Vincent Z. Mercogliano goals and 41 assists). For every 60 minutes he played with Panarin, the duo averaged 4.14 goals, according to Evolving Hockey.

The chemistry on Zibanejad's line was apparent, too, leading to a 32- The common misconception is that Artemi Panarin and Mika Zibanejad points-in-30-games stretch for Kreider and a career-high 46 points (16 were separated due to Zibanejad's injury in late October. goals and 30 assists) for Buchnevich. In reality, the change was made one game prior. The combined stats bear out the balance the two lines achieved. Following an overtime loss to the Arizona Coyotes on Oct. 22, New York Of all the line combinations that played at least 50 minutes together, Rangers coach David Quinn decided to split up his two-best players for Kreider-Zibanejad-Buchnevich led the team in average goals per 60 the Oct. 24 contest against the Buffalo Sabres. minutes at 3.88. Panarin-Strome-Fast ranked right behind them at 3.75. The line changes coincided with an impressive 6-2 win to snap a five- That far outweighed each line's average goals allowed per 60, which was game losing streak, but in the very next game against the Boston Bruins, 2.06 for Zibanejad's line and 1.46 for Panarin's. a crushing hit from Patrice Bergeron would cause Zibanejad to miss a There was a similarly positive discrepancy in chances generated by each month with an upper-body injury. line. Panarin's line averaged 35.54 shots for per 60 while allowing an "Just the way the whole thing happened, we were constantly talking to average of 29.83, and Zibanejad's line averaged 32.99 shots and allowed these guys about line combinations and who to play with," Quinn said. 25.86. "While Mika was out, I think that combination kind of evolved." Those numbers actually outperform the Rangers' initial top line of Zibanejad's absence forced Ryan Strome into more prominent role and Panarin-Zibanejad-Buchnevich, which averaged 3.12 goals per 60 and left the Rangers feeling especially vulnerable at center. But Strome allowed 2.57. quickly meshed with Panarin, with that duo combining for 35 points in 13 If the Rangers did decide to put Panarin and Zibanejad back together, games without Zibanejad. the Kreider-Filip Chytil-Buchnevich line that played together while More importantly, the Rangers went 8-4-1 in that span after starting the Zibanejad was hurt would merit consideration. That trio averaged 3.72 season 3-5-1. goals per 60 and allowed only 1.64. They also had the highest expected- goals-for rate of any combo on the team at 63.4%. "It made everyone step up, myself included," Strome said. "All of a sudden when you’re penciled in on the first line and you’re going against New York Rangers' Pavel Buchnevich (89) scores against Vancouver Bergeron and you’re going into Nashville and you’re playing against Canucks goalie Jacob Markstrom (25) as Alexander Edler (23) and New some of these teams, you’ve really got to step up. If you look up and York's Chris Kreider, right, watch during the first period of an NHL hockey down our lineup, from that day on, so many guys took great steps in game Saturday, Jan. 4, 2020, in Vancouver, . Mika’s absence. In the long run, that really helped the team out." Differing approaches When Zibanejad returned on Nov. 27, Quinn had a decision to make. The Rangers' qualifying round opponent, the Carolina Hurricanes, have Despite his instinct to form one dominant line using his most dynamic taken a different approach. playmakers, he opted to balance out his top-six by keeping Panarin and Their top-three scorers — Sebastian Aho, Andrei Svechnikov and Teuvo Zibanejad apart. Teravainen — play together on the Hurricanes' top line, with their "I'm a big believer in putting your best players together," Quinn said. "But average goals per 60 eclipsing either of the Rangers' top two lines at sometimes, that's not the best thing to do for the group." 4.62, as does their Corsi of 58.93%. (It's worth noting, though, that they allow more goals on average at 2.51 per 60.) Two is better than one There's a drop in scoring for Carolina after its top line, but Kreider It took another month-plus before the Rangers worked out their kinks and referred to their other lines are "hard-working" and tough defensively. began rattling off enough wins to push themselves into playoff contention. But that was more about resolving defensive issues than it "They have that very high-powered line that generates a lot of offense, was line combinations. but they've got incredible depth and maturity and veteran presence throughout their forward group," Kreider said. "They're very deep team." For the most part, the top two lines stabilized and stuck, with Zibanejad flanked by familiar faces in Chris Kreider and Pavel Buchnevich and The Rangers' depth will be tested, but after almost daily line changes Jesper Fast providing a gritty presence alongside Panarin and Strome. early in the season, they returned from the NHL's four-month pause with stability and familiarity. "When you look and you have, in my opinion, two Hart Trophy candidates in Mika and (Panarin) not having to play on the same line, it creates a Beginning Aug. 1 in Toronto, we'll find out if it's still the right approach. real problem for some teams," Strome said. "I think you saw that Bergen Record LOADED: 07.21.2020 throughout the year. There were a lot of games where either line could kind of pick up the slack a little bit. Both lines were a little bit streaky at times, but when you have that dual threat, I think it's hard for teams to match up against and it gives Quinny some more flexibility."

New York Rangers' Artemi Panarin, right, celebrates with Ryan Strome (16) after scoring against the San Jose Sharks in the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Dec. 12, 2019, in San Jose, Calif.

By the end of the season, there was no question that Panarin and Zibanejad belonged in the conversation with the best players in the league. They each proved capable of carrying their own line, with Panarin tying for third in the league with 95 points (32 goals and 63 assists) and Zibanejad going on a tear with 34 goals in the final 40 games. 1188875 New York Rangers

NHL reports 2 positive COVID-19 tests in Phase 3

By Andrew Gross

Updated July 20, 2020 4:51 PM

The first week of full training camps for the resumption of the NHL season brought just two positive COVID-19 tests among more than 800 players, a healthy indication the 24 teams will be able to report to their hub cities later this week without issue.

The NHL on Monday released its fourth weekly report of COVID-19 testing. It was, significantly, the first one including all the players expected to participate in the games at Toronto or Edmonton. The teams will travel to the quarantined arena/hotel bubble in their hub city on Sunday.

The NHL reported it administered 2,618 tests to more than 800 players in the five days since formal training camps — Phase 3 — opened on July 13 at team facilities. NHL players are being tested every other day, at a minimum.

The two players who did test positive have self-isolated, the NHL reported.

NHL policy — negotiated with the NHL Players’ Association — is not to identify the individual players who test positive or their team.

“The NHL has probably done the most thorough job in terms of staying on top of things and keeping people informed,” Islanders coach Barry Trotz said after the report was released. “The players have been very professional and understanding the importance of the procedures and how it affects the whole group.”

The first three weekly reports released by the NHL were based on tests administered during the voluntary, small-group workouts at the team facilities that began on June 8.

During that Phase 2, the NHL administered 4,934 COVID-19 tests to more than 600 players, with 30 confirmed positive results. In addition, the NHL reported 13 players tested positive outside of Phase 2 protocols.

Each of the teams participating in the NHL’s return-to-play plan can bring a maximum of 52 people, including players, coaches, management, doctors, trainers and equipment staff, to their hub city bubble.

Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 07.21.2020 1188876 New York Rangers The league’s department of player safety announced the suspension Monday, four months after holding a hearing with Lemieux.

The suspension means Lemieux will miss the first two games of the Kaapo Kakko's strong play earns rookie a promotion, at least temporarily best-of-five series against Carolina, which opens in Toronto on Aug. 1.

Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 07.21.2020

By Colin Stephenson

Updated July 20, 2020 5:08 PM

Options. Every coach needs them, and halfway through Training Camp 2.0, Rangers coach David Quinn is starting to discover that he has more than a few.

Pavel Buchnevich leaving practice early Saturday gave Quinn the opportunity to look at Kaapo Kakko on the first line, with Chris Kreider and Mika Zibanejad. And Kakko looked like a perfect fit there, scoring two goals in Sunday’s scrimmage.

“I thought Kakko had a really good day,’’ Quinn said on Sunday. “He's had a really good stretch here, since we got back.’’

Rangers beat writer Colin Stephenson discusses the Rangers'

While he isn’t allowed to give updates to the media on injuries, Quinn did say that whatever caused Buchnevich to leave practice Saturday and miss Sunday won’t prevent him from playing in the Rangers’ best-of-five play-in series against the Carolina Hurricanes. So if Buchnevich returns quickly, he’ll most likely go back to his regular spot with Kreider and Zibanejad.

But Kakko playing well Sunday not only gives the Rangers depth in their forward group, but it provides Quinn and his coaching staff with options. Quinn has always been one to reward good play with ice time, and just because Kakko might not be on the first line doesn’t mean he has to go back to the third line. Quinn, who spent Monday meeting with the coaching staff while the players enjoyed a day off, could tweak his lines a bit and maybe bump Kakko up to the second line, with Artemi Panarin and Ryan Strome. That would drop defensive-minded Jesper Fast to the third line, which might be a more natural fit.

Julien Gauthier is another option. Gauthier, who had been the fourth-line right wing, moved into Kakko’s spot on the third line Sunday, and he also had two goals. Gauthier is a 6-4, 227-pound former first-round pick (2016) acquired from the Hurricanes in a minor-league deal for defenseman Joey Keane on Feb. 18 and hasn’t had much ice time with the Rangers. But his size and speed are intriguing.

“He certainly is a noticeable player,’’ Quinn said Sunday of Gauthier, 22. “The thing I like about him is he wants to learn; he wants to get better. He's a coachable guy.’’

As for Kakko, expectations were high — and maybe a tad unrealistic — after he was chosen second overall in the NHL Draft last summer. The 6- 3, 199-pounder led Finland to the gold medal in the World Junior Championships in 2019, scored 22 goals in 45 games (plus another four goals in five playoff games) as a 17-year-old in Finland’s professional league, and helped Finland win the World Championship tournament.

Some expected a Calder Trophy-winning rookie season from him, but he had 10 goals and 23 points in 66 games before the NHL season paused because of the coronavirus on March 12. The pause, though, seemed to refresh Kakko, who turned 19 in February. While North America and much of the world was on lockdown in April and May, he was able to work out and skate back home in Turku, Finland. And the benefits have been obvious in camp.

“I feel like he feels much more comfortable coming back,’’ said Fast, whose line matched up against Kakko’s in the scrimmage. “You see he's smiling, he's happy — I mean, like it's a new energy for him. The way he's been looking so far this camp . . . he's looking real sharp. He looks strong on the puck, and [he] had a good scrimmage [Sunday], so after that giving him more confidence going forward.’’

It’s good to have options.

Lemieux suspended for two games

Brendan Lemieux has been suspended by the NHL for the first two games of the Rangers' against series against the Hurricanes because of an illegal check that injured Colorado forward Joonas Donskoi in March. 1188877 Philadelphia Flyers

Jack McIhargey, a scout, former player, and assistant coach with Flyers, dies at 68

by Sam Carchidi

Jack “Bucky” McIlhargey, a hard-nosed defenseman who played two stints with the Flyers in the 1970s and 1980s and later served as an assistant coach and scout for the team, died Monday after a battle with cancer, the club’s alumni association announced.

He was 68 and was still scouting for the team.

Mr. McIlhargey “contributed to our success in a variety of ways,” the Flyers said in a statement. “He helped our team to three conference championships, including two as a player. Jack will be deeply missed, but his legacy with our team will be felt for years to come.”

In the statement, the Flyers said Mr. McIlhargey was a “large part of drafting the players on today’s team and the ones currently in our system who will make up a new generation of Flyers.”

In an eight-year career that included stops with the Flyers, Vancouver, and Hartford, Mr. McIlhargey had 11 goals, 47 points and 1,102 penalty minutes. He played in 24 playoff games with the Flyers, including 15 in 1975-76, which ended with a loss to Montreal in the Stanley Cup Finals.

Bucky was a true legend of the game. From his days in the minor leagues, the time with Brophy and into the NHL. One of my favorites to ever play with the Flyers. A true Violent Gentleman. All were better for knowing him.

— al morganti (@nufced) July 20, 2020

In 1977, the Flyers traded Mr. McIlhargey, known as one of the league’s tougher players, and Larry Goodenough to Vancouver for , who played parts of six seasons in Philadelphia.

Mr. McIlhargey, an Edmonton native, is survived by his wife, Karyne, and his three daughters, Erin, Georgia, and Anna.

Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 07.21.2020 1188878 Philadelphia Flyers

Flyers center Sean Couturier among 3 finalists for Selke Trophy

by Sam Carchidi,

Sean Couturier could become the first Flyers player since Dave Poulin in 1986-87 to win the Selke Trophy, awarded to the NHL’s best defensive forward.

The 27-year-old center was among three finalists nominated for the award Monday by the Professional Hockey Writers Association. Boston’s Patrice Bergeron, nominated for a record ninth time, and St. Louis’ Ryan O’Reilly are the other finalists.

The winner will be announced during the conference finals.

Being nominated “reflects on the year that the team had as well,” Couturier said.

Couturier finished with 59 points in 69 games and a plus-21 rating, and he led the NHL by winning 59.6% of his faceoffs.

Dave Poulin (20), an undrafted free agent, was their last Selke winner, capturing the honor in 1987. He was inducted into the Flyers Hall of Fame in 2004.

For years, Couturier has been matched against the league’s best offensive forwards but has never won the Selke, which has evolved into an award that also takes offense into consideration.

Couturier’s teammates thrived whenever they were put on his line, causing coach Alain Vigneault to call him “Dr. Coots” because of the way he cured someone who was “ailing” on offense.

In this season’s Professional Hockey Writers Association’s midseason vote, Couturier was No. 1 in the Selke, followed by Bergeron and O’Reilly, last year’s winner.

This season, Bergeron, who turns 35 on Friday, had 56 points in 61 games and was plus-23. O’Reilly had 61 points in 71 games and was plus-11. Bergeron, whose Bruins will face the Flyers in a round-robin game Aug. 2 in Toronto, is a four-time winner.

Couturier said he has always looked up to him.

“He’s definitely a great role model for any young guys trying to learn the game to play the right way,” Couturier said at training camp last week. “He does all the little things right, barely makes any mistakes, plays the right way and he’s responsible.”

Couturier said Bergeron was his role model when he broke into the NHL as a 19-year-old in 2011-12. At the time, Bergeron was a seven-year- veteran.

“He was already established as a solid player,” said Couturier, adding he looked up to him and players like Anze Kopitar, Jonathan Toews and Jordan Staal, and that it was an “honor to be mentioned in the same conversation as those guys.”

In addition to Poulin, Bobby Clarke (1982-83) was the only other Flyer to win the Selke. Poulin was 29 when he won it, and Clarke was 33.

Breakaways

The Flyers had their first day off from camp Monday and will resume with a scrimmage Tuesday in Voorhees. Camp is closed to the public because of coronavirus concerns. ... Jake Voracek hasn’t been wearing his visor at camp. “It’s real hot out there. It feels like you’re in a big bubble with that visor,” he said Sunday. “You see better and get some more fresh air” with it off. He said he is undecided whether he will wear it when games are played.

Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 07.21.2020 1188879 Philadelphia Flyers of the top guys. He handled it well. It’s nothing new for me, I guess. I enjoy it. I enjoy the competitiveness and the challenge of being able to go against those guys.”

Travis Sanheim and Phil Myers: The Flyers’ blossoming No. 2 defensive Said Myers: “Obviously it gives you confidence when the coaches have pairing can face opponents’ No. 1 lines confidence in you. It’s a challenge that I’m embracing with open arms. I love playing against the best players.”

History together by Sam Carchidi, Sanheim, 24, and Myers, 23, have a history together; they were also defensive partners with the AHL’s Phantoms.

Travis Sanheim and Phil Myers form the Flyers’ No. 2 defensive pairing, “I think being with Phil, our skating ability, our reach, and how we can but the coaching staff hasn’t been opposed to using them against teams’ play defensively, it’s an advantage for us,” Sanheim said. most dangerous scorers. So is their familiarity with each other. “Not only did we not hide those guys, but we purposely matched them against the best lines in the league,” assistant coach Mike Yeo, who runs “We’ve been able to build from Day 1 with Lehigh,” Sanheim said. “It the Flyers defense, said in training camp the other day. didn’t take long when I got to play with him here that things kind of took off as well. It’s just the type of guy he is. We’re both around the same Yeo cited how the tandem was used against Washington’s Alex age. Communication-wise, we both feel really comfortable talking to each Ovechkin and his linemates, and Toronto’s Auston Mathews and his unit. other and going over different things we see on the ice. I think that’s something that can benefit us.” They played against star players because “they have that ability, and because we wanted them to grow,” Yeo said. “Really, the only way to do Myers agreed. it is by doing it. I would say the same holds true for the playoffs.” “He’s a great guy, and I think we complement each other well on the ice,” In other words, when the Flyers play Boston, Washington, and Tampa Myers said. Bay in the round-robin seeding tournament in early August, and then advance to the Stanley Cup playoffs, Sanheim and Myers will get critical Yeo is confident in his No. 2 pairing. minutes against top players. “I really do feel comfortable that the experience they got this year is going “We can tell them what to expect, we can work with them, do drills, all to go a long way toward helping them be successful in the playoffs,” he that kind of stuff, but obviously it’s a different intensity level and it’s a said. different pace when you get to that playoff hockey,” Yeo said. “Both guys “I’ve been thinking about this for a long time,” Myers said. “I’m happy that are composed. Both guys are great skaters, and both guys have size. I I’m going to have the opportunity to play in the playoffs. I think the really don’t expect it to be much of a factor for those guys.” intensity is going to be as high as it’s ever been for me during a hockey Playing against the 6-foot-3 Sanheim and 6-5 Myers in practice, right game. I’ll be ready.” winger Jake Voracek said, isn’t easy because of their skating ability and Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 07.21.2020 long reach.

“You really have to use all your skills and elements to try to get around them a little bit differently than just wide or with speed,” Voracek said. “You have to think about it every time you are going up against them. ... They are very young, and it’s exciting to see them grow every single time they step on the ice.”

Mike Yeo, shown coaching the St. Louis Blues in 2017, is in his first year as a Flyers assistant. He coaches the defense and the penalty kill.

Little playoff experience

Sanheim, who had eight goals, 25 points, and a plus-4 rating this season, played in four Stanley Cup playoff games and scored a goal two years ago; this will be Myers’ playoff baptism. Myers had 16 points, including four goals, in 50 games, and the rookie led Flyers defensemen and was second on the team with a plus-17 rating this season.

Phils Myers congratulating Travis Sanheim after a goal against Florida on Feb. 10.

“Obviously I got a little bit of a taste a couple years ago and just the excitement with that,” Sanheim said.

He has a “little bit bigger role now and I want to take advantage of that. I think it’s a big opportunity for me to showcase what I’m all about. I want to help this team win, and to do that you’ve got to win in the playoffs. We got a good team and a lot of good players. We have a lot of depth and looking forward to this playoff run.”

Ivan Provorov and Matt Niskanen will get prime minutes against opponents’ top lines, but Sanheim and Myers will also get challenges against marquee players.

Sanheim welcomes it.

“Nowadays, with how deep a lot of teams are, you see more than one line with star players,” he said. “You have to have more than one pairing to go up against these guys. For those teams, for example, you’ve got Ovechkin on a different line and then you’ve got some other stars [such as Nicklas Backstrom].

“You need a couple pairs that can match up. I got a little bit of a taste there when I was paired with Provy last season, going up against some 1188880 Philadelphia Flyers Former Flyers general manager had the patience to wait for Couturier to develop.

Before this season, the Flyers went through seven years of mediocrity Sean Couturier’s rise is the reason to think the Flyers can win the Stanley and rebuilding that tested the patience of both their ownership and their Cup fan base. During that period, they missed the playoffs four times, cycled through four head coaches, and never won a postseason series – despite having two of the NHL’s most gifted and highest-paid forwards, Giroux and Jake Voracek. by Mike Sielski A common accusation levied at the franchise, particularly at then-general

manager Ron Hextall, was that the Flyers were wasting the prime years Earlier this month, my colleague Ed Barkowitz made what should have of Giroux’s and Voracek’s careers. been a simple request. The Flyers were about to announce their team But Hextall had undertaken a far more challenging and time-consuming awards, and Eddie got the idea to have those Inquirer writers who task than just spackling a few holes in the team’s roster. He was regularly cover the team cast their own “ballots” for each award. Who did changing the franchise at its foundation, replenishing talent at every level we think deserved the Barry Ashbee Trophy as best defenseman? Who of the organization, counting on players and prospects already on the deserved the Pelle Lindbergh Trophy as most improved player? Eddie team and within the farm system to mature and improve, recognizing that would compile our votes and post them on Inquirer.com and print them in the Flyers had to withstand some hard years before they would have the the paper. Again, it should have been simple, and it was. For everyone depth to become and remain a bona fide Stanley Cup contender. else. Couturier, as a third-line center who wanted a chance to take on more I breezed through the assignment without much thought. Of course Ivan responsibility, was part of that young core, and there was a time when Provorov was the Flyers’ best defenseman. Of course Scott Laughton’s the Flyers would have been willing to trade away someone like him for a emergence as a top-six forward made him a surefire choice for the more experienced player who, the team believed, would make a greater Lindbergh. Let me get this finished. I have other work to do. Top three and more immediate contribution. Hextall wasn’t willing. choices as the Flyers’ MVP? Carter Hart’s presence and play made a huge difference. Travis Konecny led the team in scoring. Claude Giroux In that context, given those goals, there was always going to be a telltale was Claude Giroux. Is there someone else I’m forgetting? Nah. Type. indication of when the rebuilding had ended: Giroux and Voracek could Send. Done. still be important players to the Flyers and probably would be, but they wouldn’t be the team’s most important players anymore, because they Oops. wouldn’t have to be. They would have aged, and their roles might have What an award really means changed, and their playing time would have dropped a bit because there wouldn’t be the pressing need to rely on them so much. On Monday, the NHL announced the names of the three finalists for the 2019-20 Selke Trophy. By the letter of its description, the award is given Someone else would have taken on much of that burden. Someone else annually to the league’s “best defensive forward.” Really, though, the would have surpassed them. Someone else has. Selke recognizes the player who is regarded as the best all-around Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 07.21.2020 forward in the league. It’s not just that the forward, usually a center, can win faceoffs, kill penalties, and check the starch out of an opposing team’s superstar. No Selke winner has or would have scored fewer than 20 goals in an 82-game season in nearly 30 years. The guy has to be able to put the puck in the net, too.

Sean Couturier was one of the three finalists, for the second time in his career. And even if he doesn’t win the Selke – the Bruins’ Patrice Bergeron and the Blues’ Ryan O’Reilly, both of whom already have won it, were the other finalists – his nomination represents the latest piece of evidence for what everyone who follows the Flyers closely already knows: that he is their most valuable player and has been for a while now.

2019-20 Frank J. Selke Trophy finalist: Sean Couturier

Couturier paced the NHL by winning 59.6% of his face-offs: 59.5% in the defensive zone; 60.4% in the neutral zone; 59.1% in the offensive zone. https://t.co/iLrIo2m7t3 #NHLAwards #NHLStats pic.twitter.com/z1gzpgCJFk

— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) July 20, 2020

He scored 31 goals in 2017-18 and a team-high 33 in 2018-19. He was second on the Flyers in points this season, was on pace for 26 goals, led them in ice-time per game (19 minutes, 50 seconds), and spent more time on the ice in shorthanded situations (140:29) than anyone on the team.

He led the NHL in faceoff-win percentage (59.6%), meaning that whenever there was a key draw, one in which possession of the puck might influence or determine the outcome of a game, the Flyers had the player you’d most want to take it. He has won the Bobby Clarke Trophy, as the Flyers’ MVP, each of the last two years, and only a person who was either careless or suffering a momentary lapse of reason could have failed to acknowledge Couturier’s contributions this season.

(Ahem.)

The wait was worth it

The Flyers had 89 points in 69 games and were in second place in the Metropolitan Division when the pandemic hit, and it’s not a coincidence that they were having their best season in eight years at the same time that Couturier was reaffirming his status and importance to them. 1188881 Philadelphia Flyers

Flyers' Sean Couturier named a Selke Trophy finalist

By Rob Parent

It's easy to say it was completely expected that Sean Couturier would be named one of three finalists for the NHL's Selke Trophy, which honors the league's best defensive forward.

It was also easy to say that Couturier deserved to be a finalist in this category when he wasn't one at least a few times before.

The award is voted on by members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association. Maybe they didn't notice the low-key Couturier as much as they should have in past years.

Or, despite the award's stated mission of honoring defensive forwards, Couturier was an afterthought until he started to score goals with regularity the past few seasons. He has rounded into the Flyers' top-line center and one of the best two-way players in the game.

"There's no doubt that Coots is one of the best two-way players in the league," Flyers coach Alain Vigneault said. "He plays a full 200-foot game; he's earned the nomination as one of the best. ... Real happy for him. As we said all year, anybody who plays with Coots seems to play well. Good for him and well-deserved."

Couturier was finally given a finalist nod in this category in 2018, finishing second behind winner Anze Kopitar of the L.A. Kings. After being bypassed last year, Couturier was an obvious finalist this year, named along with the perennial Patrice Bergeron of Boston and Ryan O'Reilly of St. Louis.

Neither is new to this award: Bergeron is a four-time winner, and O'Reilly won it a year ago.

So ... maybe just be happy with the nomination?

"It's a great honor," Couturier said Monday. "I think it just reflects the year that I had and the team as well. I think we had a great year overall and I'm just excited to get back into it and make a playoff run here."

Even if it's his second finalist nod, it's overdue. Couturier has been a standout defensive forward dating to early in his nine-year career when he was skilled at shadowing the likes of Sidney Crosby.

But as he looks at this nomination, it's hard not to pay homage to another player he's faced off against all too frequently.

"He’s definitely a great role model for any young player or any young guy trying to learn the game and to play the right way," the 27-year-old Couturier said of Bergeron, 34. "He does all the little things right, barely makes any mistakes, plays the right way and he’s responsible. He’s definitely a player that any young guy can look up to and learn from. It was no different for me coming into the league. He was already established and a solid player.

"I definitely looked up to guys like him, Kopitar, (Jonathan) Toews, Jordan Staal ... those guys are really reliable and play the game the right way. It’s definitely an honor to be mentioned in the same conversation as those guys."

Add O'Reilly, 29, to the mix, a contemporary who also seems to be getting better with age and experience.

"I think it's attention to detail," Couturier said when asked about his steady improvement. "It's trying to do the right things all the time on the right side of the puck, being reliable in all aspects of the game. I take pride in that."

Couturier is the third member of the team named a finalist for a major award this year, joining Jack Adams Award nominee Vigneault and Masterton Memorial Trophy nominee Oskar Lindblom.

Delaware County Times LOADED: 07.21.2020 1188882 Philadelphia Flyers

NHL schedule 2020: Flyers vs. Lightning round robin changed to Aug. 8, Bruins vs. Capitals moved to Aug. 9

By Jordan Hall July 20, 2020 4:05 PM

Who are the Flyers' top 5 reinforcements for 24-team tournament?

The Flyers on Monday saw a small change to their round-robin schedule for the NHL's return-to-play 24-team tournament.

The club's final round-robin game against the Lightning was shifted from Sunday, Aug. 9, to Saturday, Aug. 8. The Bruins-Capitals game that was originally scheduled for Aug. 8 was moved to Aug. 9, which marks the final day of the round robin (see the Flyers' schedule).

The schedule tweak could have a slight impact on the Flyers' round-robin strategy. Playing the final game of the round robin would have allowed the Flyers to know exactly what was at stake in that contest, given the Capitals and Bruins would have already had played their three games. Now, the Flyers won't know as much, but they should still have a pretty clear indication on the implications of that Lightning game.

The Flyers' final game could have significant meaning for the club's attempt to improve its seed in the first round. It also could have little meaning depending on how the Flyers fare in their opening two round- robin games against the Bruins and Capitals. If they don't play well and drop those games, their last game against the Lightning would likely serve more as a tune-up for the first round and give Alain Vigneault an option to play some of his extras. The Flyers' head coach already has plans to play different lineups in the round robin (see story).

"For us, we're the fourth seed so we've kind of got nothing to lose," Travis Sanheim said last week. "It’s a good chance for us to get our game where it needs to be come playoff time. In saying that, we’re going to take every game like it's the playoffs and we need to win it. It’s going to be a good test. There are a lot of good teams in that round robin, I think it’s going to set us up well for when playoffs roll around."

The Bruins and Capitals will have a little more leverage playing the final game of the round robin. But being ready and healthy come the first round is the Flyers' ultimate focus in playing the round robin.

"Critical I think is a little too strong of a word," Kevin Hayes said last week of the round-robin importance. "You still don’t even know who you’re playing in the next round because they are going to be reseeding. They’re going to be serious games, for sure. You want to be at your best come that first round. I think those three games that you are going to be playing can only help us get to that point. They’re going to be serious games, but I think it’s going to make sure our systems are in the right spot and everyone knows what they’re doing."

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 07.21.2020 1188883 Philadelphia Flyers Bergeron is the gold standard, being named a Selke Trophy finalist for a record ninth straight season. He had another really good year (31 goals, 25 assists, plus-23 rating) for the NHL's best team that allowed a league- low 2.39 goals per game. Couturier now has a reputation, but Bergeron NHL awards: Sean Couturier named 2019-20 Frank J. Selke Trophy added to his just as well in 2019-20. O’Reilly's season was nothing to finalist with Patrice Bergeron, Ryan O'Reilly scoff at, either, as the reigning winner led the finalists with 61 points (albeit in two more games than Couturier and 10 more than Bergeron)

while winning an NHL-most 880 faceoffs. By Jordan Hall July 20, 2020 7:25 PM Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 07.21.2020

Sean Couturier is no longer surprising people or having to win them over.

When you think of the top defensive forwards in hockey, his name now comes right to mind of those across the league.

“Sean Couturier is one of the best two-way centers I’ve seen in this game," Alain Vigneault, who has coached 17 years in the NHL, said Feb. 1.

It took time for the 27-year-old to build his do-it-all brand and have it recognized. Couturier, who came into the league at 19 years old, could be staring at his best shot yet for the Frank J. Selke Trophy, an honor given to the forward who best excels in the defensive aspects of the game.

On Monday, the Flyers' alpha dog down the middle was named a finalist for the award, which is voted on by the Professional Hockey Writers Association. Couturier is up against the Bruins' Patrice Bergeron and the Blues' Ryan O’Reilly, while the winner is expected to be announced during the Conference Final series, which are slated to begin Sept. 8. If Couturier wins, he'll become the third Flyer to ever take home the honor, joining Bob Clarke (1982-83) and Dave Poulin (1986-87).

"Attention to details, trying to do the right things all the time, being on the right side of the puck, being reliable in all aspects of the game — I try to take pride in that," Couturier said Monday to Flyers senior director of communications Zack Hill. "It's nice to be honored and recognized by the media. Hopefully I can keep doing this for years and have the same reputation year after year."

Among NHL centers during the 2019-20 season, Couturier ranked first in faceoff win percentage (59.6 — minimum of 100 taken), tied for fifth in plus-minus (plus-21) and secondary assists (22), 13th in even-strength points (46), 15th in shots (185), 17th in time on ice per game (19:50), tied for 18th in assists (37), tied for 22nd in goals (22) and tied for 30th in shorthanded minutes (140:29), all while constantly drawing the opposition's toughest assignment (see story).

Interestingly, for Couturier to win his first Selke Trophy this year (he was the 2017-18 runner-up), he'll have to dethrone a guy he has looked up to and respected in the 200-foot, nothing-comes-easy-against-me department: Mr. Bergeron. The Bruins' soon-to-be 35-year-old center has won the award four times. During Couturier's rookie season, Bergeron was 26 and won his first Selke.

"He’s definitely a great role model for any young player or any young guys trying to learn the game, to play the right way," Couturier said last week. "He does all the little things right, barely makes any mistakes, plays the right way and he’s responsible. He’s definitely a player that any young guy can look up to and learn from — it was no different for me coming into the league. He was already established and a solid player, so I definitely looked up to guys like him, [Anze] Kopitar, [Jonathan] Toews, Jordan Staal. Those guys are really reliable and play the game the right way. It’s definitely an honor just to be mentioned in the same conversation as those guys."

Let's take a look at Couturier's chances:

Working in Couturier's favor

In the PHWA's midseason awards released Jan. 23, Couturier was the leading vote-getter for the Selke Trophy among the 117 writers who filled out ballots, followed by Bergeron and O’Reilly (see story). To lead the group was certainly proof that Couturier has everyone's attention. And he did nothing to hurt his chances down the stretch, delivering 16 points (nine goals, seven assists) and a plus-6 rating over the Flyers' final 19 games since Jan. 23 as his team went on to finish with the NHL's sixth- most points (89). He factored into everything for arguably the NHL's most improved club (see story).

Not working in Couturier's favor 1188884 Philadelphia Flyers obvious root cause: Teams are not allowed to clarify the reason for a player’s absence during the return-to-play training camp or once the games begin. Had the Flyers been able to explain, at least in less vague terms, why Voracek missed the scrimmage, perhaps it would have cut Ten observations from the first week of Flyers training camp down on the wild Twitter theories.

However, remember that the team’s silence regarding their players’ health during these next few months was not something the teams, or By Charlie O'Connor Jul 20, 2020 even the league, pushed for in negotiations. It was the players who wanted teams to stay mum. The NHLPA felt strongly that any coronavirus-related absences — positive tests or forced quarantines as a In a little more than a week, the Philadelphia Flyers are scheduled to result of exposure to an infected person — should not be linked to a return to the ice to face an opponent in a 60-minute hockey game, a player unless he chooses to reveal details on his own. statement that just a few months ago would have sounded like the worst kind of wishful thinking. On Saturday, Voracek found himself the subject of hypotheses and unsourced theories, a byproduct of the league’s injury policy. But he said OK, it’s an exhibition game (against the Pittsburgh Penguins), a tuneup Sunday that, despite any annoyance that comes with thousands of fans for the upcoming Eastern Conference round robin. But it’s still a playing “guess the reason” on social media, he feels like the NHL is right tantalizing sign that competitive NHL hockey is right around the corner, to keep coronavirus-related (and in turn, all) absences confidential. For assuming the league continues to avoid mass COVID-19 outbreaks Voracek, it comes down to the importance of privacy in unprecedented during Phase 3. times.

With hockey on its way back, it’s time to re-establish the weekly “In some kind of way, you want to protect the players’ privacy, right?” he O’Connor’s Observations column that was a staple during the regular said. “So if you get it, let’s say not everyone has to know it. If you decide season. We’ll recap the previous week for the Flyers with an eye toward not to share it with everyone, I think that’s perfectly fine to keep it to under-the-radar stories and compelling analysis. The first week of yourself and your close friends and family.” training camp unsurprisingly succeeded in inspiring its fair share of both. What about the argument that fans deserve to know why a player might 1. Voracek returns to practice, clarifies status miss a key playoff game? Voracek pointed out that, as much as fans (and sports gamblers) might want as much information as possible, Fans held their collective breath Saturday when star winger Jakub players aren’t merely participants in a game. They’re people who might Voracek did not join his teammates for the morning scrimmage. General not feel comfortable with everyone knowing they may have contracted manager Chuck Fletcher’s update on No. 93’s status — “Voracek is the virus. unable to participate in today’s scrimmage” — may have sounded ominous, but the vague language was a result of team injury-reporting “We’re here to play hockey,” Voracek said. “It’s your decision if you want guidelines that the NHL and NHLPA negotiated before play resumed. All share it with the world or no. I know we are in a different situation than that really mattered: Voracek was unavailable because of a physical normal people, but on the other hand, it’s our health. If (you) decide to injury, COVID-19 related protocols or something else, and it was unclear share it with someone, then that’s up to you. If you don’t want to share it, when he might return to the ice. you don’t have to. I think that’s the right thing to do. I know you guys (in the media) have to write about it and talk about it, but on the other hand, Well, it took all of one day before Voracek was back and fans could we are people, too. We deserve to have some privacy as well, especially safely exhale. in times like (this). “Jake looked fine,” head coach Alain Vigneault said after Sunday’s For Voracek, the issue hits especially close to home, as he sees it as practice. “He had a lot of energy, a lot of pop in his skating.” emblematic of a societal issue that goes far beyond the coronavirus and But what had kept Voracek off the ice in the first place? Clearly, it wasn’t NHL injury status. serious since he returned to action 24 hours later, looking no worse for “That’s what’s wrong with this world today,” he said. “Everyone seems the wear. Voracek appeared on a video conference call after Vigneault’s entitled to know everything about each other. It’s not a bad thing to have availability to answer questions and kicked off the exchange by chuckling some privacy sometimes, for us. Do you know all the cases every day as he chided the media for overreacting to the one-day absence. that are diagnosed? Do you know all the people and know everything “You guys panic so much it’s not even funny,” he said, laughing. “Holy about them? No. Some (people) want to keep it quiet.” fuck, Twitter was filled up yesterday. You guys making it sound like I’m Voracek’s support for fellow players who prefer to keep their coronavirus dying or something. Everything’s fine.” status private is especially notable because he does not fall into that Voracek then made it clear that, despite not being required to share the particular bucket, as he showed with his openness Sunday. He just details of his absence, he was happy to answer any direct questions believes that those who do should have their wishes honored. about why he missed the scrimmage. The Athletic took the plunge. “I’m the kind of guy, if you ask me, I would probably tell you,” he said. “I was wondering who was going to be the first one that was going to ask “But there’s a lot of people that just don’t want to talk about being sick.” it,” he said. “My (COVID-19) test Friday didn’t come. It was delayed and it “We deserve to have some privacy as well, especially in times like (this),” came back inconclusive, so they couldn’t tell if it was negative or positive. Jakub Voracek said. (Zack Hill / Flyers) So I did another one yesterday and it came back this morning negative. There was nothing wrong, so everything’s all right.” 3. Vigneault shuffles lines Sunday

In Phase 3, players are tested every other day, and the rules state, “For Vigneault had promised since the start of camp that he would test out individuals whose results are not received within (24) hours, such multiple line combinations and defensive pairings, first saying he would persons shall not utilize club training facilities until results are available begin to shuffle the Day 1 roster Friday, following Thursday’s off-ice day, and indicate a negative testing result.” In other words, Voracek was and then clarifying the first changes wouldn’t come until after Saturday’s simply the victim of a justified abundance of caution. scrimmage.

Fortunately for the Flyers, the testing ambiguity was quickly resolved and The changes finally came Sunday morning. Voracek rejoined his teammates Sunday, even if he wished Saturday’s drama had been avoided. Vigneault avoided wholesale adjustments. In fact, the defensive pairs remained the same as the first five days of on-ice work, and the top line “I was kinda pissed I missed the scrimmage yesterday, because the of Claude Giroux, Sean Couturier and Voracek stayed intact. The other more scrimmages you can get into, it’s better,” he said. “It is what it is. forward lines received the biggest tweaks (changes in italics). Nothing I could do about it.” Giroux – Couturier – Voracek 2. Privacy important to Voracek for players’ COVID-19 status van Riemsdyk – Hayes – Konecny As Voracek pointed out Sunday, some may have gone a little overboard in discussing his uncertain status. However, the speculation had an Farabee – Grant – Pitlick Laughton – Thompson – Aubé-Kubel The odds still appear stacked against Thompson, especially if the coaching staff chooses to use Laughton as a center instead of on the Raffl – Frost – Bunnaman wing, as they did all of last week. That would mean one fewer center Andreoff – Rubtsov – Twarynski spot, and force Thompson to steal a job from Grant, Farabee, Aubé- Kubel or Raffl — no easy task. But the 35-year-old knows the drill, and Provorov – Niskanen he won’t be negative if he doesn’t win a spot. For now, he’s just giving his all in this competition, and hoping for the best. Sanheim – Myers “I think having to know that you can’t get comfortable, it pushes me,” Hägg – Braun Thompson said. “I think it’s a good thing. You want competition. You Gostisbehere – Friedman want guys playing for spots. It makes the team better.”

Zamula – Welinski 5. Sanheim-Myers pair locked in and ready

Wotherspoon – Prosser The duo of Travis Sanheim and Philippe Myers isn’t as technically sound as Philadelphia’s rock-solid top pair of Ivan Provorov and Matt Niskanen. Most of the changes were predictable. James van Riemsdyk, one of the But as Jakub Voracek said Sunday, when a pair has the physical tools Flyers’ highest-paid and most gifted forwards, is a logical potential option that Sanheim (6-4) and Myers (6-5) possess, it’s a handful, even though for Line 2. Scott Laughton’s move to wing shouldn’t come as a shock; the the young defensemen are still developing at the position. organization has long preferred him in that spot over center. Nate Thompson’s promotion was inevitable as well, considering that he ended “Every D (pair) that’s playing against you that can skate and has a long the regular season in the starting lineup. He was always going to get a reach and a long stick — it’s really hard to beat,” Voracek said. “You real look in a starting role during camp. really have to use all your skills and elements to try to get around them a little bit differently than just wide or with speed. You have to think about it The biggest surprise? Presumed lineup lock Michael Raffl finding himself every time you’re going up against them.” on the “fifth” line with Morgan Frost and Connor Bunnaman, two players not expected to be in the Game 1 lineup Aug. 11. Combined with Raffl’s So far during camp, the Flyers are betting on that “hard to beat” element strange status as a mid-scrimmage “trade” candidate, do the weekend’s of the Sanheim-Myers pairing. Rather than work to limit the roles of events mean that Raffl is falling down the depth chart? Sanheim (who has only four games of playoff experience in a limited role in 2018) and Myers (no playoff games), the coaching staff looks ready to Doubtful. Raffl is an established veteran; the coaching staff knows what throw the young duo right into the fire, trusting it to hold up against tough he brings to the table. On the other hand, players like Joel Farabee, competition as the Flyers’ second pair of choice in the postseason. who’s 20, and Thompson, a trade-deadline acquisition, still need to earn their way into spots in the lineup. My guess is that Raffl is simply an easy For Mike Yeo, the assistant coach in charge of the defense, the playoffs player to temporarily remove from the lineup to facilitate extra looks at will be an extension of the responsibilities Sanheim and Myers earned in the players who are actually competing for spots. the second half of the regular season.

Vigneault also made it clear the line juggling won’t end here. “If you go back to when we were winning a lot of games, obviously we were using Provy and Nisky in those roles, but there was a lot of times “I’m gonna try a couple different (experiments) — one for the next where we’re playing against Washington and (Alexander) Ovechkin’s on scrimmage on Tuesday and then I’m going to make some changes again the ice and Myers and Sanheim are going head to head against those to Wednesday’s practice and Thursday’s scrimmage,” he explained. guys,” Yeo said. “Same thing against Toronto and against Auston “There’ll be some other looks that we’re going to try moving forward here. Matthews. Not only did we not hide those guys, but we purposely And as we get closer to going to Toronto, this is a time to continue to matched them against the best lines in the league: (A) because they work on our system, continue to work on our technical and tactical aspect have that ability; and (B) because we wanted them to grow. Really the and our conditioning aspect. It gives me the opportunity right now to get a only way to do it is by doing it.” couple different looks with different linemates. That will prepare us, I think, properly for those games in Toronto.” The pair drove play at five-on-five during the regular season (52.37 percent Corsi for, 51.85 percent expected goals for percentage) and was 4. Thompson in pursuit of lineup spot the most effective pair in Saturday’s scrimmage. In the early going, they’ve checked every playoff-readiness box. Myers, the true playoff The first week of camp hinted that Thompson might be barely on the newbie, can’t wait to get started. outside looking in when it came to earning a spot in the Flyers’ playoff lineup. But after Sunday’s promotion to Line 4 with Laughton and Nicolas “I think the intensity is going to be as high as it’s ever been for me during Aubé-Kubel, he’s back in the thick of the race, part of the group of 13 a hockey game,” Myers said Sunday. “I’ll be ready.” battling for 12 available spots. For Thompson, playing-time competitions are far from a new obstacle. 6. Sushko loaned to KHL

“It never changes for me,” he said. “It’s never changed for every team The Flyers announced a deceptively interesting and important tidbit of I’ve ever been on. I’m always fighting for playing time. That’s just how it news Friday after training camp activities had ended. Winger Maksim goes. That’s what it’s been my whole career. That’s what it’s been every Sushko, a 2017 fourth-round pick who spent the entire season with the year, every camp I’ve gone to.” Lehigh Valley Phantoms, was loaned to Dynamo-Minsk of the KHL for the 2020-21 season. In February, the Thompson acquisition was viewed by some with skepticism, particularly those in the stat community. Thompson made Sushko isn’t one of the Flyers’ better known prospects, so some may sense as an extra forward — a positive veteran presence who could have fallen into the trap of thinking this was a case of the organization jump in and not look overwhelmed in case of a rash of injuries — but not “giving up” on Sushko. Not the case. In fact, Sushko’s rookie pro season as an every-night forward. After all, he hadn’t graded out as a positive- with the Phantoms — 21 points in 53 games — earned him fans in the impact play-driving forward by Evolving-Hockey’s Regularized-Adjusted front office. He’s now viewed as a viable bottom-sixer forward prospect, Plus/Minus metric since 2013-14. Derek Grant was the trade deadline with a promotion possible in the not-so-distant future. prize; Thompson was just the “in case of emergency, break glass” center So why send him to Europe? It boils down to the uncertainty about the depth option. start of the 2020-21 season, particularly for the AHL. The next AHL The Derek Grant trade generated more buzz, but Nate Thompson has season will surely be delayed, and potentially until fans can return to also been a useful addition. (Zack Hill / Flyers) games safely, since the AHL is heavily dependent upon gate revenue. European leagues, on the other hand, are scheduled to return in the fall, But a funny thing happened over the seven games Thompson played for as usual. By loaning Sushko to the KHL, the Flyers can be relatively sure Philadelphia after the trade: he held his own, both in the eyes of the he’ll continue to play and develop, a certainty that does not exist for coaches and via the numbers, by which he graded out as essentially a 2020-21 in North America. break-even play-driver by RAPM. The Thompson that Montreal had traded away wasn’t a player likely to win his way into a deep Philadelphia “It’s pretty simple,” assistant GM Brent Flahr told The Athletic. “During lineup. The one from late February and early March who served as the these unprecedented times, he can play hockey at a quality level and Flyers’ fourth-line center, however? That player would have a shot. continue to work on his game. He took big strides in Lehigh Valley last season and (we) feel that he’s on the right path. Both parties felt that it Now, they can add “quarantine buddies” to their story. would be beneficial to keep active and playing overseas until we start up next season.” 9. Fun with celebrations

Could the Flyers loan other European prospects, such as Linus Högberg Training camp may be more serious and business-like compared to how and David Kaše, to Euro leagues for the start of 2020-21? The possibility the Flyers locker room felt in March, according to Justin Braun and Kevin shouldn’t be ruled out. In any case, expect all loans involving the Flyers Hayes. But when many of the team’s best young players hit the ice to include language that allows the player to return to North America Friday for a quick warm-up before practice, they seemed intent on having whenever leagues begin play again. Sushko (and any other prospects some laughs as they prepared for the day’s activities. that go this route) won’t be “stuck” in Europe for all of 2020-21, unless Provorov was unusually demonstrative after he potted a quick goal, the seasons on this continent prove so disrupted that it makes more skating back down the ice, arms raised with a big grin on his face. sense to stay over there. Farabee tested out a new in-motion fist-pump celebration. Then there 7. Friedman agrees to new contract was Travis Konecny, who sheathed his stick as if it were a sword, then skated next to the empty bench with his hand out, getting some well- Sushko’s loan wasn’t the only piece of contract news to emerge last deserved imaginary kudos from his invisible, adoring teammates. week. Mark Friedman, who’s in camp battling for a spot on the final 31- player roster ticketed for Toronto, signed a two-year extension that will With no fans in the stands for the games, were the youngsters testing out keep him with the Flyers through 2021-22. A pending restricted free new celebrations to keep things fresh for television viewers? Not quite, agent this summer, Friedman’s return is not a surprise. But the two-year Farabee said after the day’s drills. They were just having fun. term (with a $725,000 yearly cap hit) and the two-way nature of the deal “Obviously, we’re trying to win the Stanley Cup, but at the end of the day, (meaning that he will make just as much money in the minors as he this is the best part of the year,” Farabee said. “We’re trying to enjoy it. I would on the NHL roster) hint that Friedman impressed the Flyers’ brass think we’re just taking it day by day, and it’s not going to be too loud this season. when guys score. Hopefully, we’ll have some good cellies. I probably Friedman acknowledged that it was a load off his mind once the contract won’t be doing too much of the scoring, (so) hopefully TK, Hayesy and was signed, sealed and delivered. those guys have some good ones.”

“It’s definitely a relief,” he said. “In four months of me thinking about it, 10. Special teams work on the way sitting in quarantine and not knowing what was going to happen next Through the first week of training camp workouts, drills and scrimmages, season, it’s definitely nice to get this out of the way.” one aspect of preparation has been conspicuously absent: special teams The 24-year-old is far from a lock to make the Flyers out of training camp work. Not once have the Flyers worked on power-play formations or next season, even though he’ll now have to clear waivers to be penalty-kill refreshers, leaving camp observers wondering when they’d reassigned to the AHL. Still, he’s clearly banging on the NHL door, and focus on those important parts of the game. there’s even a chance he could make an appearance during this playoff According to Vigneault, expect both to be addressed soon after Monday’s run, if a rash of injuries strike the defense. Friedman is now essentially off-day. just waiting for his shot. “(We’re) closing in (on working on it in) the next couple of days,” 8. Bunnaman, Twarynski and quarantine housing Vigneault said. “Tomorrow’s obviously a day off for the players. The Throughout the pause, Flyers players had little trouble staying in touch. coaches are getting together. There’s a phase of camp here that we’ve Via video conference calls and an active group chat, the NHL regulars got laid out, but we haven’t penciled in exactly where we want (what) and kept in contact, to the point that even just-acquired players such as Grant that’s one of them. So I would suspect that, starting Tuesday, we’re going and Thompson were able to develop friendships with their new to start seeing some specialty teams work.” teammates during the shutdown. But what about the minor leaguers? Are In the weeks leading up to the pause, the top unit of Giroux, Couturier, they just as close as the players on the big club? Voracek, Provorov and Konecny flashed real chemistry after the power Carsen Twarynski and Bunnaman certainly are, based on Twarynski’s play had struggled mightily for most of the season. It will be Vigneault answer Sunday when asked about the closeness of the Phantoms group. and assistant coach Michel Therrien’s job to recreate that chemistry, via the same five-man group or a slightly adjusted one. Yeo will have the “I was at Connor’s house for the first couple weeks right when I got back same task with the penalty kill that he manages. to Canada, before I went home because we had to quarantine,” he said. “Our group chat was going a little bit. We were trying to stay in touch as The Athletic LOADED: 07.21.2020 much as we can, especially without knowing what was going to happen. Some guys had more insight than others and whatnot. So we tried to stay in touch. A lot of the young guys have our video games that we play with each other, so that wasn’t much of an issue, but I think it was good that we did that, and now being back together, I think the group of us from the Phantoms, it’s been easy.

Wait, Twarynski stayed at Bunnaman’s house for three weeks?

“(Yes), he came to my place to quarantine for three weeks, just wanted to make sure he gets over the border,” Bunnaman said.

Bunnaman’s family gave Twarynski the guest room as he waited to be cleared.

“My room’s in the basement, and my old room is now my nephew’s room when he comes over, so Carsen was staying up there,” Bunnaman recalled with a smile. “But we were locked down pretty good. We just kind of played video games, chipped golf balls in the backyard. Went in the pool sometimes when it was nice out. That’s basically it.”

The friendship dates back to 2016 and the night the Flyers selected two raw power forward prospects in the middle rounds of the NHL Draft.

“We talked about it the night before, when we both found out we were going to make the (2019-20) opening-night roster,” Bunnaman reminisced. “We just thought back to draft day. We both came up to the box where everyone was at the same time. We met each other and met each other’s families. And from there, we became friends ever since. It’s been a long ride and it’s been a cool one.” 1188885 Pittsburgh Penguins View this post on Instagram A post shared by Evgeni Malkin (@e.malkin71geno) on Jun 9, 2020 at

11:25am PDT ‘It’s all about winning’ for Evgeni Malkin and Penguins “We tried something new,” Malkin said. “I have so many (trees) around my house. Why not do this? It’s a good workout, good cardio. It’s not easy.” SETH RORABAUGH | Monday, July 20, 2020 7:27 p.m. Those workouts have manifested the past week with Malkin’s efforts at the team’s Cranberry facility.

The Penguins’ franchise center has been hard to notice the past few “It’s fun to watch him when he’s in this type of mindset, and I think that days at training camp. he’s only going to get better here with every day that he plays and he gets in more game condition,” Sullivan said. “But you could see how To be frank, he’s been a non-factor. dominant he can be when he’s in these (scrimmages).” Completely inert. “It’s my job,” Malkin said. “It’s what I love to do all my life. It’s a new You could say he’s been missing. reality right now. It’s not easy for everyone. We understand how important this is for each player. We try to do everything to get back and Sidney Crosby’s unexplained absence from the team’s practices and play playoffs. It doesn’t matter (if there is) no fans. It’s hard but we still scrimmages since Saturday has left a considerable void. And the NHL’s love the game. I’m focused right now to my game. Everything. I sleep “Ask/Won’t Tell” policy with regards to players’ medical statuses during well. I work out every day. the coronavirus pandemic puts coach Mike Sullivan in an awkward position of not explaining why the sport’s leading ambassador isn’t “It’s all about winning.” preparing, on the ice at least, for an NHL postseason unlike any other. Tribune Review LOADED: 07.21.2020 But thankfully for the Penguins, they always have a surplus franchise center ready to pick up the slack.

Evgeni Malkin has been a dominant force throughout the course of this camp, or as dominant as one can be within the context of cycling drills and scrimmages against your fourth-line center. His enthusiasm for this camp and the league’s upcoming postseason tournament in August has been palpable to the naked eye.

He verified his upbeat body language Monday with his words while speaking with local reporters for the first time since the league went into stasis back in mid-March.

“We missed so many days, like (four) months,’ Malkin said. “But every day is better. We play a (scrimmage Monday), and I feel so much better. The team looked good. We played hard. We tried to play like a real game. A couple hits, blocking shots. Practice is not a real game but we try to be close. But I like what I see, in myself and the team too.”

His coach appears to be sated with the visuals as well.

“His work ethic is terrific,” Sullivan said. “He’s leading through his example. The level of intensity that he’s playing the game with and practicing with right now, it’s contagious throughout our team.”

Part of that excitement could be tied to his new left winger. With first liner Jake Guentzel apparently healthy enough to return to the lineup after a serious shoulder injury he suffered in December, his replacement, Jason Zucker, has been “demoted” to the second line with Malkin, a two-time scoring champion.

“We scored a couple of goals, for sure,” Malkin said. “We (did) not play (together) much this (season). But it’s coming, I hope. We connect with each other. We play with (Rust) too. He’s my (regular linemate) this (season), a long time. We try (to) talk a little bit. I think we’ll be fine. If we play right, we have a good system. If we play right, we’ll be dangerous for sure.”

“It’s a work in progress for sure,” Zucker said a week prior. “He’s an amazing player, as everyone knows. It’s a little bit different style than playing with Sid for sure. But it’s definitely a positive thing.”

By his own account, Malkin maintained a pretty hard regimen while taking up refuge in South Florida during the pandemic.

“I stay in Miami and I stay (on an) island,” Malkin said. “We have a gym in our building. I work a little bit with (strength and conditioning coach) Alex Trinca. We work on FaceTime in (the) gym. I have a treadmill on my balcony, and I run every day. A couple of times, I go to (the) beach in (the) morning when its not super hot and just do stuff on the beach. I do pretty much everything I did during (a normal) summertime. Except ice. We can’t skate. It’s a little bit hard.

“I roller skate too, like two times a week. I skated around the island on my own.”

Malkin even added wood splitting to his workout routine after returning to the Pittsburgh region in advance of the team’s informal workouts in June. 1188886 Pittsburgh Penguins

Patric Hornqvist, others resume practicing with Penguins

SETH RORABAUGH | Monday, July 20, 2020 6:11 p.m.

Nine Penguins players who were withheld from the first week of training camp as a precaution for potential secondary exposure to coronavirus were cleared to resume practicing Monday.

The team did not identify the players, per the NHL’s new rules on withholding all medical information during the pandemic. But forwards Anthony Angello, Patric Hornqvist, Adam Johnson, Sam Miletic, Sam Poulin and Phil Varone; defensemen Pierre-Olivier Joseph and Juuso Riikola; and goaltender Alex D’Orio participated in their first practice session Monday.

While the bulk of the roster participated in a scrimmage on the main rink at the team’s facility in Cranberry, the nine previously withheld players, as well as reserve goaltenders Casey DeSmith and Emil Larmi, worked out on the auxiliary rink.

“We chose to give them an opportunity to get a couple of days of skating amongst themselves, first and foremost, before they rejoined the (main) group,” coach Mike Sullivan said. “Part of the reason was, today was a scheduled (scrimmage). We didn’t want to put those guys right into a (scrimmage) with the layoff that they’ve had. We thought it made the most sense to give them a couple of days of an opportunity to skate and get their legs underneath them before we assimilate them into the big group.”

Forward Sidney Crosby, who left the ice during a scrimmage Saturday, did not participate for the second consecutive day. Sullivan declined to comment on Crosby’s status, citing the NHL’s new rule forbidding teams from disclosing players’ medical information due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Gameday feel

Tuesday’s scrimmage ended as a 3-3 tie.

Forward Patrick Marleau scored twice, and forward Teddy Blueger added a goal for “Team Black.” Defensemen Jack Johnson, Chad Ruhwedel and forward Evan Rodrigues had goals for “Team Gold.”

Including Saturday’s scrimmage, the players have worn their regular game uniforms and have participated in warmups — complete with music — to introduce a sense of normalcy under circumstances which are anything but normal.

“We’re trying to create as close to a game environment as we possibly can under these circumstances,” Sullivan said. “They get a 15-minute warmup, just like they would during the regular season. They get a 17- minute intermission just like they do during the regular season and the playoffs. We’re trying to do a lot of the details associated with simulating as close to a game environment as we possibly can.”

“Our (scrimmage) on Thursday is going to be at seven o’clock at night. So they’re going to go through a regular game-day routine. Our game on Saturday is going to be at noon-time. We could possibly have a noon- time game (during the tournament). We’re trying to think all of the ways that we possibly can to put these guys through as close to a game scenario as we possibly can so we could be most prepared for what’s in front of us.”

Said Forward Conor Sheary: “That was a surprise to a lot of guys when we showed up (Saturday) morning to see our jerseys in our stalls. We didn’t really know that was going to happen. That made it a little more game-like. To have the warmup like we did, you get into your game-day routine. That’s kind of the idea behind us doing this, these scrimmages. To have that game-day (routine) engraved in our mind so we’re ready to go once playoffs come around.”

Tribune Review LOADED: 07.21.2020 1188887 Pittsburgh Penguins Hope. 2. Deryk Engelland, defenseman

The Golden Knights brought Engelland in from the Calgary Flames Double Team: Marc-Andre Fleury gave hope to Penguins then Golden during the expansion draft for his off-ice experience more than his Knights abilities on the ice.

Having played parts of two seasons for the Las Vegas Wranglers of the Seth Rorabaugh ECHL in the mid-2000s, Engelland maintained a residence in the city and was one of the few NHL players who had played in Las Vegas before the league expanded there. Golden Knights management felt the depth defenseman could be vital in terms of helping his teammates acclimate to While the NHL is on hold because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, their new surroundings. And the team wanted an ambassador to connect the Tribune-Review will offer the Double Team project, an examination of with the residents of Las Vegas. the five best players who have contributed substantially to the Penguins and another franchise. For consideration, a player must have played at And before the team played a home game, Engelland’s civic connections least the equivalent of a full season for each franchise. (Sorry, Jarome were relied on in a fashion no one could have envisioned. Iginla fans.) Following a shooting massacre that claimed the lives of 58 people at a Today, a look at the Vegas Golden Knights. Entering the NHL as an music festival in Las Vegas on Oct. 1, 2017, the franchise’s first home expansion team, the Golden Knights were the first major American contest was held nine days later at T-Mobile Arena. professional sports franchise in Las Vegas. Their name is in recognition of the United States Military Academy’s Black Knights teams. Given the tragic circumstances, the Golden Knights staged a poignant ceremony beforehand recognizing victims and first responders. In six all-time games against the Golden Knights, the Penguins have a 3- Engelland, the team’s unofficial spokesperson, gave a brief but resolute 3-0 record. speech offering support to the community as a whole.

1. Marc-Andre Fleury, goaltender Then, during the first period, Engelland scored a goal to help the Golden Knights defeat the Arizona Coyotes, 5-2. In the years after their messy divorce from captain Jaromir Jagr, the Penguins were in a tailspin as an organization. They were facing financial Engelland set a career-high during his first season in Vegas, putting up hardship while struggling to secure funding for a new arena. And on the 23 points in 79 games and helping the Golden Knights reach the Stanley ice, they were wretched. Cup Final.

While Mario Lemieux remained as player/owner, he was more owner He has remained a steady defensive and civic presence in Vegas. than player at that stage of his career. Engelland’s first taste of the NHL came with the Penguins earlier in the They needed a new player to anchor their franchise. So prior to the 2003 decade. A minor league free agent signing in 2007, Engelland didn’t draft, general manager Craig Patrick swung a deal with the Florida made his NHL debut until the 2009-10 season at the age of 27. Panthers to move up from No. 3 to No. 1. That maneuvering allowed them to select Fleury. He broke through as a full-time NHLer in 2010-11 in part because of his fighting ability, which allowed him to secure surprising but unofficial wins The skinny, affable 18-year-old from Quebec didn’t fix the franchise against heavyweights such as Maple Leafs forward Colton Orr. immediately. But he gave it a desperately needed injection of hope. And he managed to provide optimism even while losing in his NHL debut. Occasionally used as a forward, Engelland spent parts of five seasons as a depth defenseman with the Penguins, helping them reach the playoffs In a season-opening 3-0 home loss to the Los Angeles Kings on Oct. 10, each time. 2003, Fleury got little help from a lineup mostly composed of castoffs and was bombarded with 48 shots. Wearing his signature yellow pads, Fleury 3. James Neal, left winger made 46 saves, including a poke check — another hallmark of his The Penguins acquired Neal in a trade with the Stars midway through the dazzling career — against Kings forward Esa Pirnes on a penalty shot 2010-11 season. After he struggled to find his footing with his new team, near the end regulation. he took a major step forward in 2011-12. Fleury’s inspired effort earned roaring approval from the fans who packed Teamed on a line with Malkin, who was returning from a serious knee Mellon Arena that autumn night. injury, Neal was flipped from his listed position to right wing and erupted Along with the arrivals of franchise pillars Sidney Crosby and Evgeni for a career-high 40 goals and 81 points in 80 games. That performance Malkin, Fleury helped boost the Penguins over the next decade-plus, led to him being selected for an All-Star Game for the first time in his transforming them from a perrenial draft lottery contender to perrenial career. Not coincidentally, Malkin won the Hart Memorial Trophy as Stanley Cup contender. league MVP.

Owner of virtually every franchise record of note for goaltenders, Fleury Malkin and Neal were welded together for the next two seasons, with the helped the team to the 2009 Stanley Cup title. latter consistently hitting the 20-goal barrier despite various injuries or suspensions over that time. With the ascension of Matt Murray during the team’s Stanley Cup runs of 2016 and ‘17, the realities of the business side of hockey forced the The Penguins dealt Neal to the Nashville Predators in June 2014. Three Penguins to part ways with Fleury amicably. Wanting to do right by him years later, Neal joined his fourth team after being claimed by Vegas in they provided him an opportunity to play and arranged for the Golden the expansion draft. Neal lasted only one season in Vegas but was one Knights to take him in the 2017 expansion draft. of the team’s top players, scoring 25 goals and 44 points in 71 games and helping them reach the Stanley Cup Final. He would offer hope for another franchise. Following the season, he joined the Flames as a free agent. And he did that almost immediately. Nearly 14 years to the day of his NHL debut, Fleury made 45 saves for the Golden Knights in a 2-1 road 4. David Perron, left winger win against the Dallas Stars on Oct. 6, 2017. The Penguins had high hopes for Perron when they acquired him via Fleury and the Golden Knights largely shocked the NHL most of the trade from the Edmonton Oilers in December 2014. They thought so well season by winning the Pacific Division, becoming the first true team in of him, they dealt away their first-round pick in 2015. major North American sports to claim a division crown in its inaugural And he seemed to validate their hopes from the start, putting up nine season. They then rolled through the playoffs and inexplicably reached points in his first nine games while playing mostly on a line with Crosby the Stanley Cup Final, losing to the Washington Capitals. as well as the top power-play unit. Since then, the Golden Knights have qualified for the playoffs in each of But as has been the case in most of the stops throughout Perron’s their two ensuing seasons largely because of Fleury providing them the career, his lack of consistency overwhelmed his undeniable skills. most basic of elements for a team. Perron produced only 22 points in 43 games with the Penguins that season. His production got even worse in 2015-16 with 16 points in 43 games. By January 2015, the Penguins had seen enough and traded him to the Anaheim Ducks.

Bouncing between the Ducks and St. Louis Blues over the next two seasons, Perron was claimed by the Golden Knights in the expansion draft, and like a lot of the misfit toys assembled in Las Vegas, he thrived.

Appearing in 70 games, Perron set a career-high with 66 points during the 2017-18 season and reached the Stanley Cup Final for the first time in his career.

During the ensuing offseason, he rejoined the Blues as a free agent.

5. Ryan Reaves, right winger

Including Reaves on this list flies directly into this project’s “full season” qualifier, but there are limited options given how young the Golden Knights still are.

Tired of seeing his star players get roughed up by the opposition, Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford traded for one of the last true enforcers in the NHL by acquiring Reaves from the St. Louis Blues in June 2017 for a first-round pick in that year’s draft as well as forward prospect Oskar Sundqvist.

Reaves’ game was simple. He was a fourth-liner who could throw hits and punches. But he never really found a fit within coach Mike Sullivan’s system. After 58 games, eight points and 84 penalty minutes, Reaves was moved in February 2018 to the Golden Knights in a three-team trade that also involved the Ottawa Senators.

Reaves’ affable personality was an immediate fit in glitzy Las Vegas. Plus, his pugilistic ways were far more at home in the rough-and-tumble Pacific Division.

A member of the 2018 Western Conference championship team, Reaves has been a staple in the Golden Knights’ lineup for the past three seasons, appearing in 172 games and putting up 37 points as well as 131 penalty minutes.

Honorable mention: None. There were so few players who spent the equivalent of a full season with each team, there are no candidates worthy of this designation.

Tribune Review LOADED: 07.21.2020 1188888 Pittsburgh Penguins most in the NHL. The Canadiens are lucky if they have one forward who could crack the Penguins’ top six. Carey Price will be in the opposite net, but he’s more about reputation than excellence these days.

Mark Madden: Matt Murray should start Game 1 but leash should be It’s a situation where Murray should succeed. He must succeed, and short for Penguins goalie immediately. If he does, the leash must still stay short.

If he doesn’t, remember that ’16 and ’17 weren’t just about Murray’s excellence. Those triumphs were about recognizing when the No. 2 MARK MADDEN | Monday, July 20, 2020 1:18 p.m. goalie was better than the No. 1. If the occasion dictates, Sullivan must show the same steel he displayed in making the switch then.

The situation now could play out eerily similar to then. The Penguins can’t be blamed for trying to generate hype for a Stanley Cup playoff that begins in August. Tribune Review LOADED: 07.21.2020 But they might have regrets about putting the livestream of Saturday’s scrimmage online.

Sidney Crosby left that scrimmage early. The NHL’s covid-mandated injury policy of “don’t ask because we won’t tell” had fans’ knickers in a twist, and rightly so. Whether it’s bubonic plague, an amputation or a hangnail, all are “unfit to play.”

But when Matt Murray got lit up like a Christmas tree, it created an even bigger point of discussion.

Murray allowed seven goals. He was hampered by facing the Penguins’ top two lines, those centered by Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. He faced power-play time that was planned within the context of the scrimmage. Shots weren’t kept. There was very little contact. It only vaguely resembled NHL hockey, let alone NHL playoff hockey.

Sam Lafferty dominated. There you go.

Still, seven goals are a lot to give up in a 50-minute scrimmage. Especially when Murray hasn’t sparkled in camp, and when his regular- season numbers (.899 save percentage, 2.87 goals-against average) were decidedly ordinary.

Murray just hasn’t been the same goalie since 2017, when he backstopped the Penguins to a second straight Stanley Cup and Marc- Andre Fleury left soon after.

Did Fleury’s presence push Murray? Did his performance sink because Fleury left?

It’s impossible to be sure, and it doesn’t matter anyway. The long term is only a theoretical concern, because Murray will be a restricted free agent at season’s end, and unrestricted after 2020-21. Murray is likely to be traded after these playoffs, because the Penguins won’t pay him what he wants (rumored to be in the neighborhood of eight years at $8 million per).

For Murray and the Penguins, it’s all about the here and now.

Should he play Game 1 against Montreal on Aug. 1? Probably.

But coach Mike Sullivan made his bones during the 2016 playoffs when he decided (and re-decided in ’17) that Fleury wasn’t the guy anymore. Sticking with the established Cup-winner would have been easy to do, and few would have complained.

Now Sullivan is faced with a similar situation. He can start Murray in Game 1. But Murray’s leash must be the shortest possible.

It’s not about respect. It’s not about then. It’s about now.

Leaking in seven goals during a scrimmage is no big deal. Having a bad patch during a July training camp that feels surreal is no cause for outrage. Having subpar stats over the course of the regular season isn’t cataclysmic. But all that adds up and can’t be ignored. Nor can the rising performance of Tristan Jarry (though his burden in Saturday’s scrimmage was much less demanding than Murray’s). Jarry made the NHL’s All-Star event.

Murray pitched shutouts in the last two games of the ’17 Stanley Cup playoffs. But that was a very long time ago.

Murray’s performance doesn’t warrant treating him with kid gloves. He’s had hot streaks since ’17, sure. But any goaltender is capable of those. The Penguins can’t wait for Murray to play well. He has to play well right away.

Murray won’t be facing Crosby and Malkin on Aug. 1. He’ll be facing the weakest team in the playoffs. Montreal scored 212 goals, only the 19th 1188889 Pittsburgh Penguins

Ex-Penguins Alexei Kovalev, Peter Skudra take over KHL teams

Seth Rorabaugh

Former Penguins forward Alexei Kovalev and goaltender Petr Skudra have been named to the head coaching positions of teams in Russia’s Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).

Kovalev, an all-star forward for the Penguins in the late 1990s and early 2000s, takes over the Kunlan Red Star, the league’s only team based in China. He has served as an assistant coach for the team, which operates out of Beijing, for the past two seasons.

Because of the coronavirus pandemic, Kunlan Red Star will function remotely in Russia for the 2020-21 season.

Kovalev, 47, spent parts of six seasons with the Penguins in the late 1990s as well as the early 2000s and was named to All-Star Games in 2001 and 2003.

Skudra will take over Dinamo Riga, a club based in his native Latvia. This will be Skudra’s third head coaching job in the KHL, having previously led Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod and Traktor Chelyabinsk.

The 47-year-old Skudra served as a backup goaltender for the Penguins in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Tribune Review LOADED: 07.21.2020 1188890 Pittsburgh Penguins

Penguins players withheld as precaution against coronavirus cleared to practice

SETH RORABAUGH | Monday, July 20, 2020 10:59 a.m.

The Penguins announced nine players who were withheld from the first week of training camp as a precaution for potential secondary exposure to coronavirus have been cleared to resume practicing.

The team did not identify the players, per the NHL’s new rules on withholding all medical information during the pandemic. But forwards Anthony Angello, Patric Hornqvist, Adam Johnson, Sam Miletic, Sam Poulin and Phil Varone; defensemen Pierre-Olivier Joseph and Juuso Riikola; and goaltender Alex D’Orio have been absent to this point of camp.

Those players are working out on the team’s auxillary rink at the team’s facility in Cranberry on Monday while their teammates participate in a scrimmage.

Forward Sidney Crosby, who left Saturday’s scrimmage for undisclosed reasons, is not participating in Monday’s scrimmage. The team has declined comment on his status per the NHL’s rules.

Additionally, the team announced it would hold an additional scrimmage on Saturday in preparation for the NHL’s postseason tournament in August.

Tribune Review LOADED: 07.21.2020 1188891 Pittsburgh Penguins

What’s going on with Penguins’ Sidney Crosby? Mark Madden has sources telling him what’s up.

TIM BENZ | Monday, July 20, 2020 6:03 a.m.

Based on the Penguins’ history when it comes to their players’ health, I’m sure we all had the same thought when the team returned to practice during the coronavirus pandemic.

“Sid is going to get it. Mumps. Concussions. A broken jaw from a teammate’s slapshot. He’s gonna get the virus.”

So when Sidney Crosby left a team scrimmage Saturday and didn’t practice Sunday, I can’t blame anyone who thought that the star center tested positive.

You also can’t blame that fear for having legs because the NHL isn’t letting team personnel comment on player health at all during the reboot because of privacy reasons during the pandemic.

But Mark Madden of 105.9 The X and TribLive is trying to quell concerns about Crosby’s status.

“I’ve been told by a source within the team, and a pretty reliable source (from) out, that this is no big deal,” Madden said during our Madden Monday podcast. “It’s something very minor. The only worry I think we can have is that we’ve got to hope it’s something that isn’t nagging even if it is minor. Because the last thing you want is something that never goes away and could get worse.”

In our podcast, Mark says his information comes from someone who talked to a player, and someone else who talked to an agent.

As Mark and I pontificated, the Penguins don’t seem to be all that concerned about Crosby’s long-term status as they merely dropped Evan Rodrigues in as a placeholder for the first-line center position.

Today’s Sidney Crosby-free lines and pairs: pic.twitter.com/KdB8SoUd30

— Seth Rorabaugh (@SethRorabaugh) July 19, 2020

If the thinking was that Crosby was going to be out for a longer stretch of time, they may have actually tinkered with the lines more significantly.

As Mark and I point out, though, this guessing game is the residue of the NHL’s decision to be hyper-protective of any covid-19 diagnosis.

Now, not only are fans free to speculate, the media has little choice but to do so as well since the teams are loath to give any sort of corroboration or denial to stories. In the end, in an attempt to protect the privacy of the players, false narratives about their health may be created instead.

But if Crosby’s health isn’t a major concern for the Penguins, what is? Madden and I try to find some. We look at goaltending and third-line chemistry as potential hiccups.

On the Steelers front, we talk about why the NFL’s return to play may be flawed. And we get into Bud Dupree’s franchise tag with the Steelers, too.

And from baseball, we try to determine why some folks may be too optimistic about the Pirates.

Tribune Review LOADED: 07.21.2020 1188892 Pittsburgh Penguins “His work ethic is terrific,” Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said. “I think he’s leading through his example. ... The level of intensity that he’s playing the game with and practicing with, it’s contagious throughout our team. Evgeni Malkin 'leading through example' with a quick start to training camp “I think it’s just an indication of how excited he is to play. He likes the group that we have. He likes the opportunity we have in front of us. He’s going to do everything in his power to help the team be successful.”

Mike DeFabo Post Gazette LOADED: 07.21.2020

With a black and gold jersey pulled down over his pads and skates on his feet, Malkin took his first nervous steps onto the ice at UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex this week.

Nikita Malkin, that is.

The four-year-old son of Evgeni Malkin spent the NHL's four-month pause ripping shots during floor hockey games and joining his dad for backyard roller hockey sessions. The extra time at home has given Malkin a new appreciation for what life is like at home for his wife, Anna.

“He spends so much energy every day,” Malkin said. “He plays hockey, tennis, soccer, everything.”

The future of hockey in the Malkin family sure seems bright. And if the early parts of training camp are any indication, so too is the present.

At 33 years old, Malkin acknowledged the finite nature of his profession during the first training camp in September, estimating that he might have “two, three, four” more chances to hoist the Stanley Cup. As the countdown to the NHL's restart continues, Malkin looks and sounds like someone who wants to make the most of this opportunity.

“We all think about Cups for sure,” Malkin said. “I’m glad to be back on the ice. It’s my job. It’s what I do all my life. ... We understand how important this year is for every player.”

Malkin entered this season with something to prove after last year’s first- round exit to the postseason. He said he wanted to recapture his elite- level play and did just that, flashing the same offensive brilliance that made him a Hart Trophy winner. In 55 regular-season games, he led the Penguins with 74 points (25 goals, 49 assists). Only four players in the NHL had more than Malkin’s 1.35 points per game.

More significantly, Malkin committed himself to playing a two-way game and cutting down on his penalty minutes. The tone he set on both ends of the ice and the chemistry he forged with Jake Guetnzel and Bryan Rust carried the Penguins through November and December when they were without Sidney Crosby.

When the COVID-19 pandemic paused the season in mid-March, Malkin approached the four-month layoff almost like an offseason. In Miami, he ran on a treadmill on his balcony, worked out in a home gym and even got a little creative by buying a pair of inline skates.

If the thought of a 14-year-NHL veteran cruising around the sunny shores of Miami is enough to bring a smile to your face, there’s more. Malkin decided to get creative when he arrived back in Pittsburgh, going full “Rocky IV” by chopping wood.

“It’s good workout, good cardio,” Malkin said. “It’s not easy.”

Whatever the formula, it appears to have worked.

Some questioned how the Penguins’ veteran core could respond after an extended layoff. The thinking was that older legs might take longer to get moving. That doesn’t appear to be the case at all with Malkin, who is known among his teammates for his ability to jump right into midseason form while the rest of the players are still breaking in skates.

Malkin scored the first goal of Saturday’s scrimmage. With Guentzel back in the fold, the Malkin-Rust tandem has added Jason Zucker to the left wing and has begun to show some early chemistry.

“That can be such a special line for us,” assistant coach Mark Recchi said. “Both [Zucker and Rust] have tremendous speed. Both guys can score on Geno’s wings. And they both have hockey sense.”

It continued during Monday's scrimmage. Malkin made a savvy play to find Jack Johnson trailing, setting up one of the goals. The production in more formal settings backs up what coaches and teammates have seen since the Penguins started skating in small groups weeks back. 1188893 Pittsburgh Penguins two lines, a second straight shutout or something near it would have added even more intrigue to the goaltender battle.

As it stands, it’s hard to make any strong arguments for one goalie or the Observations from Penguins scrimmage: Goalie battle continues, Patrick other based on Monday alone. Marleau shows his value 3. Marleau could help make the third line an X-factor

If were given out for Monday’s scrimmage, Marleau would be Mike DeFabo a strong contender for the No. 1 star. He technically scored goals for both teams, a five-on-five goal for the Gold and later a power-play goal for the Black.

The Penguins threw on their game jerseys once again Monday for the Marleau played a top-six role for the bulk of his career. But in Pittsburgh, second of four scheduled scrimmages. he’s been skating on the third line centered by Jared McCann. When he’s ready, Hornqvist figures to play the right wing on that line. If the line Before you ask, no, Sidney Crosby did not participate. This was the clicks and Marleau scores like he did on Monday, it will give the Penguins second full-team event he's missed after leaving Saturday's scrimmage some of the critical scoring depth they had during the recent back-to- in the second period. The better news is the nine Penguins who missed back runs. last week as a precaution after a possible secondary exposure to COVID-19 have been cleared, but they skated on their own during the 4. Rodrigues shows his versatility, underscores forward depth scrimmage. With Crosby out, Rodrigues centered the top line. He skated between The Black team (top-six forwards and goalie Matt Murray) technically tied Guentzel and Conor Sheary and made the most of the opportunity by the Gold (bottom-six and Tristan Jarry), 3-3. However, the final tally came scoring the first goal of the scrimmage. Later, he had another shot from during a power play segment. the slot thanks to Guentzel that Jarry steered wide.

Here are some thoughts and observations from the scrimmage: While you shouldn’t expect to see Rodrigues on the top line when the puck drops for Game 1, Monday’s scrimmage did show part of why the 1. Murray better, but not shutdown Penguins acquired him from Buffalo on deadline day. His first four games One of the biggest questions entering Monday was, how would Murray in Pittsburgh, Rodrigues played all three forward spots. respond after allowing seven goals during Saturday’s scrimmage? If Patric Hornqvist is ready for the first game, Rodrigues will likely start On just the second shift, defenseman Kevin Czuczman rang a shot off the postseason in the press box. But, as Monday shows, he has the the crossbar behind Murray that ricocheted wide. Not a great start. But skillset to step into a number of different roles — something that's for the most part, the Penguins’ two-time Stanley Cup-winning goalie especially valuable from a 13th forward on the depth chart. settled in. 5. Guentzel looks ready The lone goal he gave up during the first period came when Kris Letang’s It’s been said before, but it’s worth repeating again. Guentzel has looked pass through the neutral zone was picked off by Sam Lafferty, who is good during camp. After scoring two goals during Saturday’s scrimmage, playing like someone who knows he's on the roster's fringe and trying to Guentzel played the role of the facilitator on Monday. He set up do something about it. Lafferty fed it to Patrick Marleau in the left circle, Rodrigues for one goal and later fed a puck through the skates of who beat Murray on the short side. Sheary. Of the three goals, Murray had the best chance to snuff out that first one. Post Gazette LOADED: 07.21.2020 Both of the other two came in the second period. On a 2-on-1, Brandon Tanev found Teddy Blueger. Later, a bouncing puck landed on defenseman Chad Ruhwedel’s stick in the slot.

The goaltending results should be taken with a grain of salt — at least early in camp — given the unique nature of the position. Muscle memory and reaction time are two of the most critical pieces to a successful goaltender — and two of the things that are hardest to replicate during a four-month pause.

“The intrasquad games are so important for all the positions, but the goaltending position might be the most important,” Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said.

Monday wasn’t a Stanley Cup effort, but it was a step in the right direction for Murray.

2. Jarry faces the firepower

The Penguins have structured their scrimmages in a lopsided manner. The top-six forwards and top defensive pair are on one team. The bottom-six forwards are on the other.

Monday was Jarry’s turn to face the firepower.

Early on, Bryan Rust creatively split the defenders and ripped a Grade-A chance on net. Jason Zucker followed the rebound, but Jarry dove across his body and put his paddle down for one of his more athletic saves of the scrimmage.

The three goals Jarry allowed came during the three separate segments: first period, second period and power play. Jake Guentzel found Evan Rodrigues in the slot for a bang-bang, backhand goal. Then in the second period, Jack Johnson rifled the puck over Jarry’s glove hand. The final tally came when Marleau tipped in John Marino’s shot from the point during the final power play segment.

Of the two goalies, Jarry had more to gain on Monday. Considering he was the facing the vast majority of the scoring chances against the top 1188894 Pittsburgh Penguins process. That’s especially important right now — being patient with yourself but at the same time trying to get on top of things as quick as you can. … It’s a unique situation.”

Patric Hornqvist, eight other Penguins cleared to practice; Sidney Crosby Sullivan said the scrimmages “might be the most important” for the still sidelined goalies.

“They’ve got to make reads in game situations,” he said. “That’s hard to simulate in a practice environment. And so we’re just trying to allow them Matt Vensel to go through the process here and get those repetitions through those intrasquads.”

The Penguins announced Monday that they had added another Patric Hornqvist and the eight other Penguins who were held out due to scrimmage to their camp schedule. They will now scrimmage Thursday potential exposure to COVID-19 were cleared Monday to return to and Saturday, too. They are scheduled to travel to Toronto on Sunday practice. and will wrap up camp there. They begin their qualifying round series Those players did not participate in Monday’s team scrimmage at UPMC against the Montreal Canadiens on Aug. 1. Lemieux Sports Complex. Instead, as the rest of the team got loose Doggy dads must adjust before the scrimmage, they marched over to the second practice rink to work out as a group. Older Penguins such as Patrick Marleau and Jack Johnson have talked about the sacrifices they will make this summer, leaving their families for “We chose to give them … a couple of days of skating amongst a hub city. themselves, first and foremost, before they rejoin the group,” coach Mike Sullivan explained. “Part of the reason was today was a scheduled Zach Aston-Reese doesn’t have any kids yet. But this winter he became intrasquad game and we didn’t want to put those guys right into a game a doggy dad and is sad he must say goodbye to little Carl, an Italian with the layoff that they’ve had.” greyhound.

Last Monday, when the Penguins began their postseason training camp, “It’s definitely going to be a little bit tough,” the 25-year-old winger said the team announced that nine players would be “voluntarily” held out for Sunday. “My parents are going to drive halfway and I’m going to drive an indefinite period after a possible secondary exposure to COVID-19, “in halfway. … They’re going to pick him up and take him back to New York an effort to avoid exposure to anyone else within the organization.” They for the time being.” sat out seven days. It is unknown who will maintain Carl’s Instagram page in the interim. In addition to the veteran power forward Hornqvist, that group included forwards Anthony Angello, Adam Johnson, Samuel Poulin, Sam Miletic Post Gazette LOADED: 07.21.2020 and Philip Varone; defensemen Juuso Riikola and Pierre-Olivier Joseph; and goalie Alex D’Orio.

The Penguins continue to regularly test all players for COVID-19 at the practice facility, working with a third-party company to quickly get results. Sullivan praised team doctors and head athletic trainer Christ Stewart and his staff for making that process “as seamless as we could possibly make it for the players.”

“From our standpoint, it’s gone fairly smooth,” he said. “As I said to our players on Day 1 [of camp], we have to expect inconvenience. This is the world we live in right now, and we’re going to embrace whatever comes our way.”

The NHL announced Monday that out of 2,618 tests only two players league-wide tested positive for COVID-19 in the first five days of training camp.

Crosby sits out again

For the second straight day, Sidney Crosby missed practice with an undisclosed ailment.

Crosby left Saturday’s scrimmage midway through the second of two 25- minute periods. He skated off the ice, grabbed his sticks and walked toward the locker room at UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex. He did not return to the ice.

Sullivan, in accordance with the NHL’s new injury and illness policy during the COVID-19 pandemic, declined to specify why his captain was sidelined.

Murray bounces back

Two days after Matt Murray gave up seven goals to a stacked squad of top players in a team scrimmage, the goalie allowed three as the two sides tied, 3-3, on Monday.

Both Murray and Tristan Jarry were unable to strap on their pads and stop shots during the long isolation period after the NHL season was suspended March 12. Murray went about three months without facing a shot, his longest non-injury layoff since he was a kid. Then, boom, he got dropped back into practice.

Monday, Murray was asked about separating results in practices and scrimmages from the process of trying to quickly regain his form before the playoffs.

“It’s similar to any part of the season or any part of hockey as a goalie,” he said. “You can’t really focus on the results. You’ve got to focus on the 1188895 Pittsburgh Penguins “Geno’s been terrific through this whole thing,” Recchi said. “Even in informal skates and then through training camp, Geno has been amazing with how he’s taken a leadership role in this. It’s been really fun to watch.” Rested Evgeni Malkin looks dominant in training camp: ‘I’m ready’ Watching him with his current linemates has been fun to watch, also.

Malkin, Jason Zucker and Bryan Rust give the Penguins what is almost By Josh Yohe Jul 20, 2020 certainly the best second line in hockey on paper. Although Malkin and Zucker never played together before until now, there has been some

evident chemistry during the past week. Like any training camp, the Penguins are dealing with their share of “We’ve scored a couple of goals,” Malkin said. “We didn’t play much this storylines, competitions and injury drama. year. It’s coming, I hope. We play with Rust, too. He’s my new partner But this isn’t any other training camp. And the best player on the ice isn’t this year, for a long time now. I think we’ll be fine. We have a good any other player. system. We’ll be dangerous, for sure.”

Evgeni Malkin has already transformed himself into Beast Mode Geno, Malkin, like so many of his teammates, has a long history of being something that’s never really been evident with him in previous training battered and bruised in the postseason. He played through an elbow camps. injury that nearly required surgery during the 2016 championship run and missed the 2011 postseason with a torn ACL. Other years, he was far In his first public comments since the NHL shut down in March, Malkin from 100 percent. spoke eloquently about the importance of hockey’s return for the sports community and about how difficult the past few months have been. He Now, he is completely rested. Sure, the rest of the NHL is too, but for talked about winning the Stanley Cup again, too. It’s pretty clear what Malkin, it’s a different kind of feeling. fuels him a couple of weeks before his 34th birthday. “I do feel rested,” he said. “Everyone is on the same page right now. “I always think about Cups,” he said. “Always.” Everyone is healthy. I’m excited. It’s been a long time for me. I’m glad everyone is back. I’m glad hockey is back soon. I think it’s very important Should Malkin perform in the upcoming postseason with the conviction for fans who love hockey. I’m ready.” he’s displayed during the first eight days of training camp, the Penguins will be among the most likely teams to emerge with the Stanley Cup in Malkin said that, like the rest of society, the last few months were a Edmonton this fall. struggle for him. He spent most of his time with his wife, Anna, and their son, Nikita, at their home on Fisher Island in Florida. Although ice wasn’t The few onlookers who have been permitted into the Penguins’ practice available to Malkin during the majority of that time, he worked out daily facility have been blown away by Malkin’s form. His coaches have and spent his morning running on the beach. noticed things behind closed doors that are also cause for optimism. Malkin’s energy level has appeared to be nothing short of sensational “His work ethic is terrific,” Sullivan said. “He’s leading by example. You since the beginning of camp. can see the level of intensity that he’s playing with and practicing with. It’s contagious. Geno has done a great job of bringing his work ethic to “It’s not easy,” he said. “It’s been like (four and a half) months. But every the rink every day.” day is better. We play a game today. I feel so much better. The team looks good. We play hard in practice. We try to play like it’s a game. This is the Malkin that has been on display since September when he Couple of hits. Block shots. Practice isn’t a real game. But we try to be arrived for training camp in impressive physical condition. Earlier during close. I love what I see.” the 2019 offseason, Jim Rutherford refused to commit publicly to Malkin being part of the Penguins’ long-term plans. Those words, along with The real games are coming soon enough. Malkin is already galloping what admittedly was a disappointing 2018-19 campaign for the future through the Penguins on a daily basis, skating like the Malkin of old but Hockey Hall of Famer, triggered a clear desire on his part to remind the behaving like a player who has about him a touch of wisdom from 14 hockey universe of his greatness. years of NHL experience.

In a regular season that was marred by an early injury and that went “I feel ready,” he said. under the radar in NHL circles, Malkin rebounded by producing a striking The Athletic LOADED: 07.21.2020 74 points in only 55 games. He also played arguably the finest two-way hockey of his career.

To see Malkin in training camp has been to see him at his dominant, rambunctious best. He’s been arguably the Penguins’ most physical player, he’s stealing the puck from his own teammates on occasion and is hollering for the puck with such conviction that the few people in the nearly silent practice facility have no trouble identifying which player is asking for the puck. Malkin has never looked so motivated.

“It’s my job, what I do all of my life,” Malkin explained. “It’s not easy for everyone to understand how important this is for each player. We are trying everything to get back and to have the playoffs. It doesn’t matter if there are no fans. It’s going to be hard (because of no fans being present) but we still love the game. I’m focused right now on my game. We work out every day. Head, heart. It’s all about winning.”

Malkin was blessed with such physical skill by the hockey gods that he was always destined to become a great player. In his 30s, though, it’s clear that he’s taken on more of a leadership role with the Penguins. His command of English never has been better, his friendship with captain Sidney Crosby never has been better and the respect he receives in the locker room never greater.

When Malkin speaks, everyone listens.

Mark Recchi, a Hall of Famer who used determination and guile more than physical skill to become a hockey great, appreciates the version of Malkin behind the scenes that he’s currently watching. 1188896 Pittsburgh Penguins Still, Jarry’s numbers were substantially better during the season. Jarry’s GAA was 2.43, almost half a goal per game better than Murray’s 2.87. Jarry’s .921 save percentage was considerably better than Murray’s .899 mark. Murray vs. Jarry and the fascinating decision facing Mike Sullivan The sample size was pretty comparable, too; Jarry played in 33 games to Murray’s 38. Jarry immediately emerged as one of the NHL’s finest puck handlers among goaltenders, and it quickly became a weapon for the By Josh Yohe Jul 20, 2020 Penguins and made life easier for their defensemen.

But Jarry did not finish his season strong. He lost his last four decisions, Mike Sullivan makes a lot of money because he’s a decorated hockey his save percentage dipping under .900 in three of those outings. His coach who is building a Hall of Fame resume. Part of being a good coach play hardly took a nosedive and he deserved that trip to the NHL All-Star — or, in Sullivan’s case, a great one — is the ability to make important Game, but his spectacular performances in November and December decisions. gave way to solid but somewhat pedestrian work in January and February. A massive one is brewing, one that could determine his team’s Stanley Cup chances, a two-time champion’s future with the Penguins and much Then, there is this: Murray received the bulk of the work against the best more. teams on the Penguins’ schedule. Of Murray’s 15 starts since Jan. 1, three have come against the Capitals, two have come against the In one corner is Matt Murray, said two-time Stanley Cup champion whose Lightning, and he also saw starts against Boston, Colorado and Toronto mental toughness was the stuff of legend by the time he turned 23. His during that stretch. Murray went 3-4-1 in those eight games and didn’t greatness made parting with Marc-Andre Fleury a prudent if still difficult look horrible. He didn’t look great either, adding to the overall murkiness decision. of the situation.

Then, just like that, he turned into a fairly ordinary goaltender during the It’s not an easy decision, and those who suggest it is are probably biased past three seasons. Who is the real Murray? And is the showstopper in one direction or the other. Sullivan can’t afford to be biased. There’s a from 2016 and ’17 gone, or merely poised to bounce back with another perception that Murray is “his guy,” that Sullivan will be loyal to a fault to championship run? Murray. We can trace this notion to the 2017 postseason. Fleury played the hockey of his life, leading the Penguins through the Blue Jackets and In the other corner is Tristan Jarry, whose fabulous athleticism is in stark Capitals in the first two rounds of the postseason. It only took one poor contrast to his quiet, seemingly unflappable personality. He’s never performance from Fleury — in the first period of Game 3 of the Eastern played in a Stanley Cup playoff game, and that’s the concern should he Conference finals in Ottawa — for Sullivan to go with Murray. He be called upon. But he’s been the better goaltender this season and, famously stuck with Murray in Game 4 when most believed he would go make no mistake, he’s been the better goaltender through one week of back to Fleury, who had carried the Penguins to that point. training camp. He looks poised, relaxed and confident. Sullivan handled his goaltenders perfectly that spring. Murray looks like a guy who is trying to find his game. More than three years later, a decision every bit as difficult is looming. Whom will Sullivan choose? The idea that Sullivan is loyal to Murray is exaggerated. I believe Sullivan The smart money has always been on Murray, and perhaps it still is. has great respect for Murray the goaltender and Murray the person. But Perhaps. Consider Jim Rutherford’s answer to my question about the rest assured, Sullivan has the guts to name Jarry the starter in Game 1 goaltending situation in May: “That’s a Sully question. But, in my opinion, against the Canadiens. If he had the guts to sit Fleury when he was hot, yeah, he (Murray) was going to be the guy (had the postseason begun in he’ll have the guts to sit Murray when he’s struggling. April). He’s the guy with the experience that time of year, he’s the guy The contrast between the two goaltenders during training camp has been that has had so much success in the postseason. And he was starting to noticeable. Jarry appears so relaxed, so in charge, so consistently solid, play well. I could sense him playing better and gearing up for the his laid back nature almost making him oblivious to the competition. I playoffs. He’s done it before. We were quite pleased with how his game suspect he doesn’t overthink things. He just plays. was coming along.” Murray has looked different. He’s fighting to find his game. He hasn’t In June, I asked Sullivan a simple question. Despite Murray’s postseason looked awful during the past week, but he hasn’t looked as good as success in past years, what happens if Jarry badly outplays Murray in Jarry. this unprecedented, bizarre summer training camp? There was a poignant moment Saturday following the scrimmage. Only This was his answer: “What I would say is that we are comfortable with three players remained on the ice following the 7-0 victory for “Team both guys. That’s been the consistent message all year.” Black.” Murray, who was surely exhausted after facing a barrage of shots Had Murray badly outplayed Jarry in training camp, he clearly would get during the scrimmage, stayed on the ice with Patrick Marleau and Jared the nod. If their respective performances were somewhat comparable, McCann. The two Penguins’ forwards skated in on Murray on we can reasonably conclude that Murray would be the guy. Look at what breakaways, mimicking a shootout situation. Time and time again, Rutherford said. For that matter, look at what Sullivan said. He wouldn’t Marleau and McCann beat Murray. Still, Murray wouldn’t leave the ice for even say that Jarry would be the guy if he outplayed Murray in camp. He quite some time, as they challenged him on breakaway after breakaway. merely opted to compliment both of them. Never has Murray, a proud and remarkably intelligent man, looked more vulnerable. There was something noble about it all, as Murray wouldn’t But what if Jarry significantly outplays Murray in camp? So far, he has. depart the ice until he stopped both Marleau and McCann. His trademark Jarry’s shutout during Saturday’s scrimmage — and Murray’s seven brashness has instead been replaced by determination. goals allowed — were badly overplayed by members of the fanbase. Sure, Jarry looked great, but he was playing the Penguins’ third and Murray finding his game and leading the Penguins to greatness again — fourth lines. Murray was facing the superstars. Murray didn’t have much while finally winning Pittsburgh’s heart, which seems to still belong to of a chance to outshine Jarry on Saturday, so that scrimmage is Fleury — would make for a hell of a story. And it could happen. somewhat irrelevant. Then again, stopping the puck is more important than a good story. Of course, it still happened. And the past week happened, too. Jarry was Murray and Fleury know that all too well. better than Murray during most of the season and has been so far this summer. Sullivan pitched a perfect game in 2017, dialing all the right numbers in guiding the Penguins to the Stanley Cup. Now, he must again make the Nonetheless, the Penguins’ organization, from top to bottom, seems right decision. Make no mistake, the Penguins are loaded. Presuming more comfortable with the idea of Murray leading the way into the Sidney Crosby’s current injury isn’t serious, the Penguins are locked and postseason. And this is understandable. Those who wear Stanley Cup loaded to make a championship run. They could topple the mighty rings offer a certain kind of trust. He’s been great in past springs. He was Eastern Conference. methodically rounding into form in March before the NHL season was frozen for four months. But they aren’t doing so without top-notch goaltending. Murray or Jarry? Jarry or Murray?

The Penguins’ playoff hopes depend on this decision. Murray’s future may, too. Both goaltenders are restricted free agents after this season and Rutherford told The Athletic that keeping both past this season will be difficult.

If Jarry gets the nod and leads the Penguins to the promised land, we may have seen the last of Murray with the Penguins. And if Murray gets the nod? Well, we’ll see some serious theater, no matter how he performs. It could be his last dance with the Penguins. It could also be his finest moment. Or it could lead to a change of scenery.

The decision belongs to Sullivan. There are no easy answers here, only a fascinating battle.

The Athletic LOADED: 07.21.2020 1188897 St Louis Blues Surprisingly, Blues captain Alex Pietrangelo was not among the three players still contending for for the Norris Trophy, which goes to the top defenseman in the NHL.

Blues notebook: Fans asked to participate in virtual cheering for playoffs John Carlson of the Washington Capitals, Roman Josi of the Nashville Predators and Victor Hedman of the Tampa Bay Lightning were the finali contenders as announced Monday by the NHL. They are the top three scorers in the league among defensemen. Jim Thomas Pietrangelo joins goalie Jordan Binnington (Vezina), defenseman Jay

Bouwmeester (Masterton) and coach Craig Berube (Jack Adams) as EDMONTON, Alberta — So far, the NHL and the television networks Blues nominees who have been eliminated from contention. have been pretty secretive about their plans for broadcasting hockey In the coronavirus pandemic-shortened season, Pietrangelo already had without fans during the upcoming playoffs. established a career high in goals (16) and had tied his career high for Fans won’t be allowed in the hub city arenas in Edmonton and Toronto power-play goals (six) when the season was suspended on March 12 because of the coronavirus pandemic, but it looks as if fans will be with 11 Blues games still scheduled to be played. With 52 points, he was involved in the telecasts. on track to surpass his career high in points (54) set in 2017-18.

To wit, Blues season-ticket holders recently were invited via email to St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 07.21.2020 participate in a Zoom call to record cheers for Fox Sports Midwest telecasts of games and for use on social media. Blues radio play-by-play announcer Chris Kerber as well as “special VIP guests” also will be involved in the Zoom. (Jon Hamm, right? ? Bob Plager?)

Various time slots were made available for season-ticket holders to participate in the Zoom recordings; and by Monday all had been taken.

In a related fan-involvement initiative, season-ticket holders were asked to submit personal videos, apparently to be used in the hub city arena, on broadcasts, and on social media.

Specifically fans are being asked to record videos of:

• “Let’s Go Blues!” with clapping for 30 seconds.

• “Let’s Go Blues!” without clapping for 30 seconds.

• “We Want the Cup!” chant for 30 seconds.

(What? No anti-Kroenke chants for the round-robin opener against Colorado?)

There’s more.

For the very last word of the U.S. national anthem, Blues style, they’re looking for “BLUUUUUUES!” (You know, as in “land of the free and the home of the . . .”)

Fans also are being asked to simulate a reaction to a goal being scored, with a few seconds of noise that would “anticipate” a goal and then a celebration “explosion.”

At least one question remains: Will Towel Man be involved?

O’Reilly a Selke finalist

Not surprisingly, Blues center Ryan O’Reilly was named Monday one of the final contenders for the Selke Trophy, which goes to the league’s top defensive forward. The others are Patrice Bergeron of the Boston Bruins and Sean Couturier of Philadelphia.

The remaining candidates for most of the league’s major awards have been rolled out since the start of last week, with the Hart Trophy contenders, as league MVP, to be announced Tuesday. The contenders for the Jim Gregory general manager of the year award and King Clancy Award are to be determined later.

The King Clancy recognizes leadership on and off the ice, and humanitarian contributions in the community.

O’Reilly, who was named a Lady Byng remaining contender last week, is the only Blues player to reach that status so far for a team that won the Stanley Cup last season and is atop the Western Conference this season entering the expected start of 2019-20 postseason play in August.

As the reigning Selke winner, O’Reilly would be the first repeat winner of the award since Bergeron — who won in 2013-14 and ’14-15.

O’Reilly led the NHL in faceoff wins (880) for the third season in a row. He finished seventh in the league in takeaways (69) during the regular season and is a regular on the Blues’ penalty killing unit.

Petro snubbed 1188898 St Louis Blues The arena and hotel are the centerpiece of what’s known as the Ice District, which consists of clubs, restaurants, shops, etc. At least part of that area will be closed off to fans and the general public, hence the “bubble” monitor — giving the participating teams the safest possible Blues gearing up for life in the NHL's 'bubble' environment in which to play games while trying to avoid COVID-19.

There have been reports of planned amenities such as golf simulators, basketball courts, as well as ping pong tables set up on rooftop patios. Jim Thomas (Beware of falling ping pong balls.) There is the possibility of outdoor concerts and outdoor movies shown on big screens, because at the moment the average temperature is in the 70s. EDMONTON, Alberta — As the days start to stack up in Phase 3 (training camp), it’s coming quick. A few more practices in St. Louis and About a half-dozen Edmonton restaurants are being called upon to feed then it’s off to Edmonton for hockey . . . Blu-u-u-es hockey. the teams.

“We’re getting close here,” Ryan O’Reilly said. “Yeah, it is kind of sad at “Obviously we see pictures of the NBA, the food,” Blues forward David home after being around, especially with my little guy. We became kind Perron said, referring to the NBA bubble in Orlando, Fla. “One guy had a of best friends and did everything together.” bunch of candy in his room, whatever he ordered.

Presumably, he was talking about 2½-year-old son Jameson. (Wife “We’re obviously hoping that our lifestyle food-wise doesn’t change. Jayna gave birth recently to a second son, during the NHL’s coronavirus We’re guys that take care of ourselves. We like having good healthy pause.) food. . . . Obviously, it’s nice every once in a while to have a treat day and kind of eat whatever you want. But I think it’s important that we’re “It’s gonna be tough,” O’Reilly said. “But at the same time, too, I’m taken care of that way. I think the NHLPA and the NHL are gonna work thinking: ‘OK, what do I have to bring? What’s gonna be able to keep me together (on it).” busy? Am I bringing a guitar? Am I bringing an X-box? How am I gonna make sure I’m not just sitting in my room doing nothing there?’ That they are. But the bottom line obviously is hockey, which for the Blues means defending their Cup title. And no one expressed that better “So it’s a unique time. It’s definitely different.” than Vladimir Tarasenko.

The younger Blues undoubtedly are bringing their Xboxes. Alexander “We don’t go there for like a resort, or somewhere else where we’re Steen will bring a few books. As for Brayden Schenn, he’s packing for the expecting like unbelievable food served for five-star summer resort,” long haul. Tarasenko said. “We’re gonna be playing hockey. . . . I don’t need much to live. I just need a bed and food.” “It’s gonna be cold there and we plan on playing in September and October, and you gotta pack accordingly,” Schenn said. But as their time in the bubble continues, and maybe players start to get a little bored, will they be tempted to leave the bubble for a restaurant The earliest the Blues could return to St. Louis would be mid August, with meal or cold beverage and risk coronavirus infection? a series elimination in the Round of 16. But the Stanley Cup Final could go into early October. What would, say, Berube in his mid 20s do in such circumstances?

The average September high temperature in Edmonton is 62 degrees “Yeah, I think everybody’s gonna be tempted at some point,” he said with (Fahrenheit), with an average low of 42. By way of comparison, the a laugh. “You just gotta do what’s right for the team. The team’s gotta averages in St. Louis for September are 81/61. come first. Again, it boils down to discipline.”

And yes, it has been known to snow in September in Alberta's provincial The Blues are a tight-knit group that bonds well on the road. They’ve capital. been one of the NHL’s best road teams over this season and last. So even in these unique circumstances, perhaps some of that road mojo will The Blues are expected to leave Sunday for Edmonton, the hub city for translate into bubble/hub city success. the 12 Western Conference squads participating in the postseason re- start of the 2019-20 season. “Yeah, I think that just the maturity of our team is gonna help us going into it,” Armstrong said. “We have a balance of experienced players and What do the Blues’ expect from life in the “bubble? younger players but I think what they’ve gone through over the last few General manager Doug Armstrong and coach Craig Berube have been years puts them in a good spot. on league-wide conference calls about the subject, so they have some “How last year ended, obviously there’s a positive feeling. But we had to idea. It's the same for defenseman Colton Parayko, who has been go through a lot to get to the end of last year. I think we’re a hardened involved as the Blues’ player representative to the NHL Players’ team mentally, and I think this is gonna be something where our Association. experience hopefully will play in our favor that we can eliminate all the But there are last-minute details to be worked out. And as the team white noise of what’s happening around us and just come and get the job returns to practice Tuesday following an off day Monday, the bulk of the done.” squad is pretty much in the dark. While avoiding the virus. “Still kinda waiting on some information on what it’s gonna be like there St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 07.21.2020 and things like that,” Steen said late last week. “So kinda adjust as we get that information. Pack for a long time, I guess. Big suitcase instead of a small one. But yeah, I don’t really know what to expect.”

He’s not alone.

“We don’t even know what the bubble looks like,” Schenn said Sunday. “We haven’t really been given much information on what it consists of or what’s in it.”

But that’ll change this week. "The bubble" is a contained area in downtown Edmonton, basically open to just the participating teams, officiating crews, league officials, network television personnel and some support and maintenance staffers.

The Blues are one of six teams scheduled to stay at the JW Marriott hotel, which is physically attached via skywalk to Rogers Place — home of the Edmonton Oilers, and for the next couple of months the Western Conference postseason qualifiers (and eventually the Cup Final). 1188899 St Louis Blues

JT's Quarantine Chronicles: A cabbie, a cell phone, and a hard bargain

Jim Thomas

Second in a series of dispatches from Post-Dispatch hockey writer Jim Thomas in quarantine.

EDMONTON, Alberta — I did lose my cellphone one other time on the Blues beat. It was on the road last season, Carolina I want to say.

Scrambling to file a story on the media bus after the game, sweating out a deadline, I left it on the bus before boarding the team charter. (The Post-Dispatch pays for the ride, in case you’re wondering.)

I realized the phone was missing almost as soon as I boarded the plane. But the plane was about to take off — the Blues don’t mess around coming home from a road trip.

Sure, the Blues would wait for Vladimir Tarasenko — all the live-long day — if he went back on the players' bus to search for his phone. Uh, not for me. The bus company in Carolina found the phone and shipped it back a few days later.

That was a good excuse. I can’t say the same about Sunday in Edmonton, when I left my cell in the cab that brought me from the airport to my hub city headquarters here at the Westin.

Had barely started unpacking when I realized it was missing. The helpful people at the front desk called the cab company, the cab company hooked us up with the driver, who told me he had the phone and would bring it my way after he dropped off a fare at the airport.

Sigh of relief. It’s about a half-hour ride from downtown Edmonton to the airport, so I figured an hour at most since the cabbie was already on his way to the airport.

One hour passed. Two hours. Three hours. Tick, tick, tick, tick, tick.

My original plan was to tip the cabbie $20 (Canadian) for his good deed. But after all this time I decided to kick up the ante to $40. Yep, getting a little desperate.

As my oldest son says, the history of the world is in your cellphone (complements of ), but it was more than that. In Canada, it’s much tougher to transmit stories via traditional Internet methods. The cellphone “hotspot” is the most reliable.

Only I didn’t have a cellphone, and deadlines were approaching.

So the front desk again called the cabbie for me. I asked where he was. He said he was queued up at the airport (again!) waiting for a fare. I said I needed the phone. Figured I would blow him away with the $40 (Canadian) offer.

He was unimpressed.

“It’s $55 dollars for a fare from the airport to the hotel,” he said.

Wasn’t expecting that. We settled on $50 (Canadian).

A half-hour later, he pulled up to the hotel, rolled down the window and handed me the phone.

“You drive a hard bargain,” I said.

He laughed, good-naturedly, and drove away.

I headed to my room to begin quarantine in earnest.

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No love for Petro: He's not among Norris finalists, but O'Reilly is Selke finalist

Jim Thomas

Surprisingly, Blues captain Alex Pietrangelo was not among the three finalists for the Norris Trophy, which goes to the top defenseman in the NHL.

John Carlson of the Washington Capitals, Roman Josi of the Nashville Predators and Victor Hedman of the Tampa Bay Lightning were the three finalists as announced Monday by the NHL.

Not surprisingly, Blues center Ryan O’Reilly was one of the finalists for the Selke Trophy, which goes to the league’s top defensive forward. The other finalists are Patrice Bergeron of the Boston Bruins and Sean Couturier of Philadelphia.

The finalists for most of the league’s major awards have been rolled out since the start of last week, with the Hart Trophy finalists as league MVP to be announced on Tuesday. The finalists for the Jim Gregory General Manager of the Year Award and King Clancy Award are not part of the rollout, and will be announced at a later date.

The King Clancy award recognizes leadership on and off the ice, and humanitarian contributions in the community.

O’Reilly, who was named a Lady Byng finalist last week, is the only Blues player to reach finalist status so far for a team that won the Stanley Cup last season and is atop the Western Conference entering the expected start of the 2019-20 postseason in August. He's the reigning Selke winner.

Pietrangelo joins goalie Jordan Binnington (Vezina), defenseman Jay Bouwmeester (Masterton) and coach Craig Berube (Jack Adams) as Blues who did not achieve finalist status.

In the coronavirus pandemic-shortened regular season, Pietrangelo already had established a career high in goals (16) and had tied his career high for power play goals (six) when play ended March 12.

With 52 points and 11 Blues games remaining, he was on track to surpass his career high in points (54) set in 2017-18.

St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 07.21.2020 1188901 St Louis Blues you, you’ve got 10 guys on the ice, it’s going to take a little bit of time. So we’ll scrimmage again, and it’ll be better.”

The Blues worked on their special teams Sunday. On the power play, the With Week 1 in the books, what’s left for the Blues before heading to Blues revealed their plan to put Vladimir Tarasenko, who has been out of Edmonton? the lineup for five months, on the second unit.

The first unit was comprised of the same players who were on it before the NHL pause: Schenn, O’Reilly, Pietrangelo, Jaden Schwartz and By Jeremy Rutherford Jul 20, 2020 David Perron. Tarasenko was on a unit with Tyler Bozak, Robert Thomas, Sammy Blais and Colton Parayko.

“The power play overall had great success, third in the National Hockey Brayden Schenn might have been exaggerating slightly, but not much. League (24.3 percent),” Berube said. “I wanted to keep it the same for The veteran forward was describing the first week of Blues’ training camp now and see how it looks. It’s tough, you’ve got Vladi, who’s a great when he said, “It’s almost old-school. You’re using camp to get into player coming back in the lineup, but that power-play unit did a shape and get your legs back.” tremendous job for us and (assistant coach) Marc Savard did a tremendous job running it. We thought it was the right thing to do here to The 28-year-old Schenn was drafted in 2009, so he doesn’t know start, and we’ll see how it goes.” personally how players felt in those “old-school” training camps. But he’s enough of a historian of the game that he has heard the stories, perhaps The first unit had some success early in the season, but it was the some first-hand. second unit that carried the Blues in the second half — and now it’s getting Tarasenko. You’ll have to forgive Schenn and the Blues, though, because what they went through at the Centene Community Ice Center last week was far “He’s got everything,” Parayko said. “He’s got all the tools over there. different than anything they’re accustomed to. Sure, the first few days of He’s a shot threat, pass threat, he can make anything happen over there. any training camp are always a bit of an adjustment, but with on-ice Teams are going to be watching him close, and it kind of opens up space activities limited before the start of Phase 3 of the NHL’s “return to play” for all of us that are on the line with him. I definitely see us going right plan on July 13, there was no real opportunity for them to ramp up. back to where we left off.”

Instead of playing a preseason game on the second or third day of camp, In practice Sunday, the two power-play units went head to head against Blues coach Craig Berube used the first week to help players feel like the penalty-kill unit for 20 minutes with a running clock. There weren’t themselves again, and they’ve appreciated that. many goals scored, but Berube thought the puck movement was a positive. “The first four or five days, it’s just been trying to get everything back up to speed,” Blues forward Alexander Steen said. “That’s been the biggest “It was good work,” he said. “Again, execution and timing are a little bit takeaway, just getting the pace back up and getting our bodies used to off, but the work ethic was there. They stayed on things, and they were the high tempo that we want to play at. It’s something that we’re going to competitive.” build up obviously, but it’s been a pretty good pace to practice here in the With a scheduled day off on Monday, the Blues followed up the special- beginning.” teams work with some extra conditioning. “It was important the first week here to get that pace in, the tempo in,” “That was nothing crazy,” Schenn said. “(Berube) just wanted to give us Berube said. “There was a lot of reps for guys to get us up to speed. a little skate; that’s really all it was. It’s a short amount of time (before the That’s important to get the reps in. You’ve got to play the game fast. I’m Blues start playing games), and you want to feel as good as possible.” not sure that we’re there yet — we’ve got work to do yet — but we’ve got another whole week here before we take off.” NOW FOR SOME CONDITIONING. #STLBLUES PIC.TWITTER.COM/FL8RZFNFDO After a week’s worth of drills, a scrimmage and some special-teams work, Week 1 is now in the books. So what is left for the Blues, who will — JEREMY RUTHERFORD (@JPRUTHERFORD) JULY 19, 2020 take Monday off and then have five practices remaining before heading to Edmonton on Sunday? Let’s recap first, then look ahead … The players will get some rest Monday, and many of them will use the time to spend with family. For Pietrangelo, he and his wife, Jayne, will Blues captain Alex Pietrangelo says “timing” is the biggest challenge of celebrate the second birthday of the couple’s triplets: Evelyn, Oliver and training camp. (Jeff Curry / USA TODAY) Theodore.

It’s not that the Blues came to camp out of shape — far from it. But with a “I’m going to make sure I spoil them as much as I can, (and) try and spoil roster of 32 players, the decision to split them into two even groups the my wife as much as I can before I leave,” Pietrangelo said. “Do as much first few days afforded them time to build the foundation they lacked. as I can to help out because you guys have heard me say it before, it’s not easy to do what (Jayne) does while I’m gone. I’m going to miss them, “Yeah, every day you can see everybody is feeling better and better — but I’m sure when they watch dad on TV, they’ll understand.” less soreness,” Blues captain Alex Pietrangelo said. “I think, for me, your eyes and your brain get adjusted better. A lot of the stuff we have done For O’Reilly, it’ll be the same story with wife, Dayna, and sons Jameson here is second-nature to us, so it’s just kind of reiterating everything that and Declan. we’ve done over the last year. It’s all coming back, and I think guys are starting to feel more comfortable and they’re just reacting and playing “We’re getting close (to leaving) here, and it is kind of sad at home,” hockey.” O’Reilly said. “Especially with my little guy. We’ve become best friends, and now it’s kind of sad I’m not going to be around … it’s going to be On Saturday, with Berube watching from the empty bleachers at CCIC, tough.” the Blues put their top players on the ice together for the first time in camp for a scrimmage. Ryan O’Reilly had two goals and one assist, But before leaving their loved ones, the Blues have another week of lifting the Blue team to a 6-1 victory over the White team. practice. They’ll bring the full squad together Tuesday, and Berube will have some specifics he wants to address. “It felt great,” O’Reilly said. “It was nice to finally get out there and have those little nuances of the game: shift length, where it’s 30 to 45 seconds “A lot more team stuff — getting that tightness defensively down, the hard, come off, rest, calm down, then you’re back at it again. So you’re offensive zone time stuff, controlling the play in the offensive zone … just getting that timing back, timing on the ice, those little battles, to be in playing that north style of hockey,” he said. there pushing on guys, pushing off guys, all those little things that you There will also be another scrimmage or two this week, which O’Reilly don’t really get in the full practice.” hopes will ratchet up the level of play. Berube felt the execution was off, but the work ethic was evident. “Going forward, we’ll be tuning up more and more, having more intensity, “There are things you’ve got to keep working on,” Berube said. “It’s what I more physicality,” he said. “It’s going to take a few skates of really expected, but the pace was good, I thought. You’ve got to be patient. pushing on each other and being physical to get back to those game-like When you get out there under pressure and there’s people coming at situations.” The Blues have their entire roster intact, with the exception of Vince us to get ready as fast as possible. They do a great job of communicating Dunn, who hasn’t practiced since Tuesday. Per NHL rule, the club isn’t to the players, ‘We need to be ready.'” saying why the defenseman is out, but if he’s being quarantined for a positive COVID-19 test, he may be in the midst of a 10-day stretch that The Blues have an exhibition game against Chicago scheduled for July would keep him out until Friday. 29, followed by the start of round-robin play against Colorado on Aug. 2.

He’s only the third Blue to miss practice, including Parayko and Robert “We’ve done a good job this week,” Parayko said. “It’s one of those Bortuzzo, who returned last week. That’s a fairly good sign considering things where you don’t want to approach it too quickly, and you want to the concern people had about the players remaining disciplined during make sure you do it the right way. If you watch the practices, we’re camp. definitely getting better. We’re getting up to speed. It’s going to be interesting once we throw on the sweaters and go against somebody “(The virus) has been a part of our lives for some time now,” Steen said. else. That’s what we’re looking forward to, and it’s coming quick, so one “I think everybody understands and has adjusted to the way of life right more week and we’ll see how that goes.” now and what we needed to do to stay safe: washing hands, wearing masks and trying to socially distance and keeping things as much to a The Athletic LOADED: 07.21.2020 minimum as you can right now. I think everyone is kind of on that page right now.”

Many around the NHL have suggested that if teams can get to the bubble healthy, they’ll be OK. But while the league did communicate the details of the bubble to its general managers and coaches last week, players say they’re awaiting more information from the Blues and the NHL Players’ Association.

“I know quite a bit,” Berube said. “I had (a conference call) with all the coaches in the league to go over a lot of the stuff. How’s your team going to handle it? I don’t know if anybody knows that. I think every team is going to be different; every individual is going to be different. It’s really going to demand a lot of mental toughness and a lot of discipline from each individual player.

“Being away from your families, being stuck in a hotel or in an arena, it takes a lot of mental toughness to make sure you’re doing the right things day in and day out, staying focused, staying ready and just preparing yourself. Those are going to be conversations that we’ve already had a little bit, but we’re going to keep having because it’s going to be important.”

Schenn said there’s still a lot of “uncertainty” when it comes to the bubble.

“As far as hockey goes, we know the three games we’re going to play before playoffs,” he said. “(But) as a team, that’s really all we know. We’ll figure out more, I’m sure, this upcoming week.”

COLTON PARAYKO LEARNING A LOT AS HE HELPS PAVE THE WAY FOR NHL’S RETURN TO PLAY. #STLBLUES HTTPS://T.CO/LFAKAZRR7P

— JEREMY RUTHERFORD (@JPRUTHERFORD) JUNE 11, 2020

As the Blues’ representative with the NHLPA, Parayko said Sunday: “Every team is going to want different things and they’re trying to lock everything down in terms of getting what they’re going to put into the bubble. So I think they’re trying to organize that all, make sure that they have all sides of it taken care of, then lay out the guidelines and what there is. I think as the week goes on, as different restaurants start to commit, or not commit, we’ll get a better understanding of that kind of stuff.”

Some players haven’t even started to pack, only giving some thought to what they’ll bring.

“Am I bringing a guitar? Am I bringing an Xbox?” O’Reilly said. “How am I going to make sure that I’m not just sitting in my room doing nothing there? I’ve got to bring something. Over this whole quarantine, I haven’t really played much (guitar) because I’ve been busy with my kids. It might be a good time to bring (a stringed instrument), whether it’s a small (guitar), or maybe a ukulele, just to get back into it a bit. It’s a great way to melt the time.”

When reminded that Blues goalie Jordan Binnington began learning the guitar during quarantine, O’Reilly replied: “Yeah, I’ve got to talk to him. Hopefully he brings something, too, then we can play together. I can help him, and he can help me … and form a little band, a little folk group.”

But for now, the Blues are more concerned about their team playing together.

“It’s unfamiliar for everyone: players, coaches, trainers …” Schenn said. “The biggest thing in our locker room, which (the coaches) do a great job of, is communication. They get a feel of what guys need, and how guys are ultimately going to feel their best heading into the qualifying games. With (Berube) and his staff, they’re very open and honest, and they want 1188902 Tampa Bay Lightning

Lightning’s scrimmage simulation a ‘good first step'

Eduardo A. Encina Bucs/Pro Sports/Enterprise Reporter

TAMPA — The Lightning don’t know quite what to expect when they depart for the playoff bubble in Toronto. But Monday’s scrimmage at Amalie Arena tried to capture some sense of hockey as they know it.

The stands were empty, as they will be throughout the Lightning’s resumption of play, but music blared after every stoppage. Game uniforms replaced practice jerseys.

But otherwise, a lot was different. A bubble life will be.

“I think I’m just trying to have (an) adequate number of shows downloaded before I get up to Canadian Netflix,” backup goaltender Curtis McElhinney deadpanned. “You know, I’m not sure what to expect. I don’t know what our life’s going to look like once we’re up there.”

Monday offered the Lightning’s truest opportunity yet to simulate game action since training camp began last week. But unlike in a normal game, players could be clearly heard calling to each other. They played three periods of only 15 minutes. Two-minute penalties were slashed in half.

They began play at 4 p.m. to replicate the start time of their first two round-robin games in Toronto for playoff seeding.

“I think the pace was pretty good,” said defenseman Jan Rutta, who played in his first game simulation since suffering a lower-body injury in February. “Obviously, you don’t want to do, like, open-ice hits. … I think everybody’s just trying to play hard, but of course respect your teammates.”

After playing to a scoreless tie in regulation, the Blue and White teams each scored with a one-minute, one-man advantage, and then went through 10 rounds of a shootout before defenseman Luke Schenn scored the winning goal for the Blue team.

“Either we can’t score or we played really great defense,” coach Jon Cooper joked. “I enjoyed that. It’s a week into camp, and guys were into it. Guys wanted to win. They competed hard.

“It wasn’t perfect hockey, but there was a lot more good than the bad out of that. It’s our very first kind of game-like situation. So it was a good first step.”

Without knowing exactly how games will be run in empty Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Cooper said that playing in front of no fans might actually help players on the ice.

“It’s probably going to be easier for the guys just in the sense that you can hear everything on the ice,” Cooper said. “And you can hear the guys talking on the bench … everybody. The communication is really good. And so, that’s probably going to help the game; it’s probably going to help the players. Because you don’t realize when the crowd’s really into it how little you actually get to hear.”

As expected, captain Steven Stamkos didn’t play as he recovers from a leg injury suffered during voluntary workouts during the shutdown. Cedric Paquette, who had been absent since Friday after getting banged up at Wednesday’s practice, returned and Cooper said he was impressed with how the forward played.

McElhinney might have stood out the most. In the second period, he turned away a shot by Ondrej Palat and then dove across the crease for a save on Blake Coleman’s rebound attempt.

“Yeah, I don’t need any longer of a training camp,” McElhinney said. “I’m used to long stretches of not playing, so for me, the less time I have to spend in a training camp not playing games or getting ready for games, you know I’m pretty happy about that. So this is more than enough time.”

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Lightning’s Victor Hedman selected as finalist for Norris Trophy

Mari Faiello Sports Trending and Outdoors Reporter

TAMPA — Andrei Vasilevskiy isn’t the only Lightning player in line for one of the NHL’s awards this year. He now has some company.

Defenseman Victor Hedman on Monday was named a finalist for the Norris Trophy, along with Nashville’s Roman Josi and Washington’s John Carlson.

“It’s always a big honor to get nominated for an individual prize,” Hedman said on Monday’s Zoom video conference call. “I think all of us can agree you don’t go into every season looking for these kinds of acknowledgements, but you go out there and try to do what’s best for your team and you try to play the highest level of your game. To get the recognition at the end of the year is always a big privilege.”

Hedman, who has been with the Lightning all 11 years of his career, ranked third in the league among defensemen with 55 points during the abbreviated 2019-20 season, behind Carlson (75) and Josi (65 points).

Hedman was nominated by the members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association, who voted on seven of the league’s awards before the season’s conclusion. The award will be given out after the conference finals. Among this year’s finalists, he’s the only player who has been a finalist previously.

“It’s always a privilege to get nominated,” Hedman said. “I’m super happy.”

Hedman won the award back in 2018 and is the only Lightning defenseman to do so. This is his fourth straight season being named a finalist for the Norris (he finished third twice).

He skated in 66 games this year, notching 11 goals and 44 assists. He also recorded four goals on the power play and three game-winning goals. This is the fourth season in which he has recorded more than 40 assists and 50 points.

#TBLightning schedule coming up

07/29 vs. FLA Panthers @ Noon onFox Sports Go/Fox Sports Bolts

08/03 vs. WSH Capitals @ 4 p.m. on Fox Sports Go/Fox Sports Bolts

08/05 vs. BOS Bruins @ 4 p.m. on Fox Sports Go/Fox Sports Florida

08/08 vs. PHI Flyers @ TBD on Fox Sports Go

— 홼횊횛횒 홵횊횒횎횕횕횘 (wears a mask) (@faiello_mari) July 20, 2020

Hedman finished second on the roster in power-play points with 22, behind Nikita Kucherov’s 25.

Josi, who could become just the fifth European to win the Norris, said he remembers playing against the Lightning defenseman at a young age. Over the course of Hedman’s career, Josi said, Hedman has been the most complete defenseman in the league.

“He’s one of those guys who could win this award every year,” Josi said. “He’s an unbelievable player.”

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Lightning fans will help support the team from afar in weekend event

Mari Faiello Sports Trending and Outdoors Reporter

TAMPA — Lightning fans will help “Be the Thunder” in a different way this season with the 2020 playoffs happening in two Canadian bubble zones this season instead of all over the country.

Tampa Bay, set to play in Toronto next week, is having fans personalize a special memento to accompany the team on the trip.

On Friday and Saturday at the Pepsi Porch just off of Ford Thunder Alley, fans can sign a piece of glass from Amalie Arena that will be flown on the team charter to Toronto.

“Bringing a piece of Bolts Nation to the Stanley Cup Playoffs is extremely important to us as an organization,” said Steve Griggs, the Lightning’s chief executive officer, in a news release. “Due to these extraordinary circumstances, now they’ll have to Be the Thunder from a distance, the Distant Thunder, and we know having the fans with the team in Toronto will help drive them in the quest for the Stanley Cup.”

Fans were able to sign-up for slots on Friday between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. and on Saturday between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. They registered in advance for a designated time slot online and per the team, the slots were gone within 30 minutes. Information on additional opportunities is expected.

Those who are interested will have to wear a face covering or mask on the premises — unless they are under 2 years old — and practice social distancing. They may park in the city garages or downtown metered parking spaces.

When fans arrive, they can check in at the bottom of the main staircase, between Gates and B on Ford Thunder Alley.

Staff will clean and sanitize the area between each use and provide disposable gloves for those who would like to use them at the event.

Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 07.21.2020 1188905 Toronto Maple Leafs Clifford’s wife is from Edmonton, which will host the conference finals and the Stanley Cup final. They hope to reunite there, with families allowed to rejoin players starting with the final four: “The goal is to be going out there and seeing them for the conference finals.” The NHL’s looser dress code suits some Leafs more than others — here’s looking at you, Auston Matthews The Leafs will also be spending at least some time considering what to wear, and how much to pack.

“I’ve got stuff packed already,” Rielly said about preparing for the short By Kevin McGran trip to the Toronto hub. “The suits are in the bag. I think I’ll pack a couple of extra just in case. We’re preparing for a long run. You don’t want to be

left hanging down the stretch.” As the NHL’s COVID-19 protocols tighten this week, with the Toronto and Toronto Star LOADED: 07.21.2020 Edmonton hubs set to open Sunday, Auston Matthews is looking forward to the one that loosens: the dress code.

The league has always required players to wear a jacket and tie before games, and the TV networks have taken to showing what they wear as they head into their locker rooms. But NHL attire has certainly been more staid than that of their NBA and NFL brethren.

“I’m really looking forward to it,” said Matthews, the Maple Leafs centre whose suits have always tended to push fashion limits. “I think it will be an equal opportunity for guys to express themselves, like other leagues are able to. I think it will be pretty cool.

“Sometimes hockey can fall behind as far as that stuff goes. Who knows, maybe it works out really well and they change it to full time, no dress code.”

Not every Leaf will take huge advantage of the change, however.

“I’m not as crazy as a couple other guys on our team with their outfits,” said defenceman Morgan Rielly. “For now, I like wearing suits.”

Aside from the actual games, fashion statements are probably the only thing some players are looking forward to. Bubble life promises to be uncomfortable, with more restrictions starting this week:

Players must pass three nasal swab tests in a row, each spaced 48 hours apart, before travelling to the hubs on Sunday.

The NHL is urging, but not requiring, players to stay home and avoid “unnecessary interactions” with non-family members before the hubs open.

Two players tested positive in the first five days of formal training camps from July 13 to 17, the league said Monday, after 2,618 tests on more than 800 NHLers. The league is not releasing the names of those who tested positive.

Team and league charter flights will be restricted to “asymptomatic persons with negative tests and persons with no suspected exposure to or symptoms associated with COVID-19.”

Those who meet the requirements for charter flights will be free to roam the hub’s league-approved hotels upon arrival: in Toronto, the Fairmont Royal York and Hotel X. Those who arrive on a commercial airline, however, must first self-isolate in their hotel room for four days and pass four nasal swab tests.

The Leafs appear to be taking all this very seriously.

“The message in the room going around is making sure we’re not putting ourselves in situations where we could harm or affect our teammates,” said Matthews. “Guys have got families and stuff like that. The message across the room is: Get used to it. Get used to staying in your place, not going out for dinner, not going out for lunch, not walking around. Just getting used to being inside and staying away from people.”

The players are making sacrifices for each other, especially those married with children.

Laundry, showers and a Q-tip up the nose. Maple Leafs training camp is definitely new — and slowly starting to feel normal

“We’re all sticking together, and making sure we’re communicating with each other, and trying to be there for each other as teammates,” said Kyle Clifford, the father of three boys.

“From the family side, you’re soaking up the little bit of family time you have left. We’ve prepared (the kids) for it the last couple of months. Fortunately, we’ve gotten a lot of family time in the last couple of months; that’s made it a little bit easier. It will be hard just talking over FaceTime all the time, but my wife (Paige) does a good job keeping them busy.” 1188906 Toronto Maple Leafs Just so we’re clear — Ilya Mikheyev has not played since Dec. 27 after suffering a lacerated wrist against New Jersey, right? No observer last week would have known the 25-year-old winger is approaching seven months since his previous game. Mikheyev has been excellent, whether Notes and observations from the midway point of Leafs training camp it’s at even-strength or killing penalties alongside Marner. Getting Mikheyev healthy and energetic against Columbus is akin to general

manager Kyle Dubas making a trade for an impact player. Mikheyev’s Terry Koshan decisions usually are the right ones, he can skate and he can score. If we don’t hear much from Mikheyev in the qualifying round, it will come as a surprise.

One week down, one to go. The case for (or against) Robertson

The Maple Leafs got a deserved full day off on Monday from the trials of We’re curious to see what the Leafs decide to do with Nick Robertson, training camp, where coach Sheldon Keefe has had his true first who shone playing with Matthews and Nylander on Saturday but was in opportunity to teach since taking over from Mike Babcock last November. the background on Sunday on a line with Alex Kerfoot and Kasperi Kapanen. If Robertson does get a shot versus the Jackets, we figure it The Leafs will return to the ice on Tuesday at the Ford Performance would be in place of Pierre Engvall on the third line. It’s difficult to Centre with an eye to continuing the upbeat approach they have been imagine Robertson working his way into the top six, even if the status of putting forth. Zach Hyman is not 100% clear, unless the Leafs have an ironclad Following are some of the items of interest that caught our attention guarantee his inexperience would not be a factor (which they don’t). The during the first week: Leafs would have to have an awful lot of confidence in Robertson — who has played in a total of five playoff games in three years with the Eyes on Andersen Peterborough Petes — to expect him to make an impact against a Blue Frederik Andersen, the (un)disputed No. 1 goaltender, didn’t fare well in Jackets team that neutered Tampa Bay Lightning stars Steven Stamkos, scrimmages on the weekend, allowing a total of 11 goals. We’ll take into Nikita Kucherov and Brayden Point in a four-game upset last spring. account he was facing the Leafs’ top forwards in Auston Matthews, Mitch Toronto Sun LOADED: 07.21.2020 Marner, John Tavares and William Nylander, yet that sort of yeah-but reasoning can go only so far. Through the first week, especially the two most-recent scrimmages, Andersen was being pushed by backup Jack Campbell. Andersen has needed time to gather himself through the first month of the regular season in past years, but with plenty at stake immediately once the best-of-five qualifying round starts against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Aug. 2, neither Andersen nor the team will have that luxury for the goalie to find a groove. It’s going to have to happen from the opening faceoff. If there are struggles, Keefe will have to make a quick pivot to Campbell, which would be a fine option. Keefe said on Sunday he’s not much concerned with what happens in scrimmages, but no one on the Leafs staff would complain if Andersen shut the door on Matthews and pals in the friendlies this week.

Everybody get together

In Zoom calls with media, the Leafs have been discussing the advantages of having had a great number assemble for the start of Phase 2, and we’re seeing that on the ice. There has been a sense of purpose from the opening day of camp in Phase 3, perhaps partially driven by the idea this group is bound to undergo changes in the off- season considering the challenges that will be presented by the flat salary cap. The Leafs have recognized they didn’t play to their full potential during the 2019-20 regular season, though improvements were made once Keefe was promoted, and few of them have left much to chance during scrimmages. While they’re not going out to hurt each other, intensity on each shift has been apparent.

Stars shining

All of Matthews, Marner, Tavares and Nylander have had strong runs through the first week, rightfully dominating at times during scrimmages. While it’s key for all of them to be feeling good about themselves by the time Aug. 2 rolls around, it’s especially paramount for Matthews following his positive test for COVID-19 last month. Matthews certainly is not at his peak yet, but the club has to be encouraged that even so, No. 34 has been putting the puck in the net rather easily.

Getting defensive

One aspect that Keefe will continue to emphasize over everything else will be defensive structure in which all five players on the ice are contributing. Question is, will it improve enough to the point the Leafs can properly make a long playoff run? And yes, while it’s understood that a sound defensive club is one that has all five men doing his part, the Leafs’ defence corps won’t be confused with a solid group of shut-down performers. When Matthews and Co. were lighting up Team Andersen, with Keefe noting the No. 1 goaltender wasn’t getting much help, among the Leafs’ defencemen in all three games on Andersen’s side were Jake Muzzin, Justin Holl and Morgan Rielly. The preaching of tightening up has to increase.

Soupman is simmering 1188907 Toronto Maple Leafs But at the moment, his climb to a spot in the lineup is steep. Getting Frederik Andersen ready

They may only be scrimmages, but you have to wonder whether the MMLR: Nick Robertson’s steep climb, flexible Sheldon Keefe, youth on Leafs feel even the slightest bit of concern watching the puck keep the rise(?) beating Frederik Andersen. The captain of Team Andersen in the Leafs training camp scrimmage series, Andersen is contending with a Team Matthews squad that features Matthews, John Tavares, William Nylander By Jonas Siegel Jul 20, 2020 and Mitch Marner. He got hit for 11 goals in the two weekend scrimmages, many of which, to be fair, he had little chance of stopping

given the calibre of opponent and nature of the event. The Monday Morning Leafs Report is back from hiatus! In light of the turbulent season he had though, and with the Blue Jackets Let’s get into it: fast approaching, you have to wonder what this could do to his confidence. Nick Robertson’s climb “I’m not too concerned about anything that is happening in these Sheldon Keefe said it had to be “obvious that he’s ready.” scrimmages, I think, whether it’s goalie or any of our players,” Keefe said on the subject. “They’ve got enough mental toughness and intelligence to A week into camp and it’s not obvious yet that Nick Robertson is ready, be able to shrug these things off and just stay moving forward with their that he belongs in the Leafs’ Game 1 lineup against Columbus. Maybe preparation.” that should have been expected at this point for an 18-year-old — who would become the youngest player in the league this season — trying to Competition crack an NHL roster with zero NHL experience in the middle of a pandemic. It was always a tall, unprecedented task. Maybe the most entertaining drills from the first week of camp were the one-on-one battles that took place Friday. “If it clicks and he adjusts, and it starts to happen for him to the point where he’s an option for us in this event then that’s wonderful,” Keefe Check out this hearty head-to-head contest between Matthews and Jake said late last week. “But what we really like about him is we’ve got a Muzzin: player that’s going to be great for a really long time as a Leaf.” Or how about the feisty battle here between Nylander and Tavares: The chase isn’t over yet for Robertson. But he’ll have to make quite the With almost no time to get ready for the most important games of the impression over the coming days, one that screams, “I’m ready!” to the season, Keefe has put an emphasis on competition and you can see it Leafs coaching staff, as well as management. here, not just in all those scrimmages. After scoring shorthanded during Saturday’s scrimmage, Robertson The Engvall Factor spent the Sunday contest on a line with Alex Kerfoot and Kasperi Kapanen, in what figures to be the spot for him if he does manage to Another reason the Leafs may want to keep Engvall in the lineup over overcome the odds and find a way onto the lineup. Robertson: He was among their more effective penalty-killing forwards this season (using expected goals against per 60 minutes, that is). Robertson got off a couple of decent looks shooting the puck, one of which was blocked, the other stopped by Jack Campbell. On the attack at Pierre Engvall another point, he tried to drive wide around Tyson Barrie and was easily angled into the sideboards, lacking the explosion he may need to zip by 4.4 NHL defenders. Earlier in the scrimmage, which featured three 20-minute Ilya Mikheyev periods, TV timeouts and full uniforms, Robertson tried to make a move with the puck in the neutral zone at the end of a shift. 4.6

Instead of reloading and maintaining possession, he lost the puck and Zach Hyman retreated to the bench. 5.7 “The pace and the intensity is a lot more different than the OHL, and it’s definitely something I’m not really used to yet,” Robertson said early in Kasperi Kapanen his first week. 6.0

HEAD DOWN HUSTLE FROM Mitch Marner @NICKROBERTSON01#LEAFSFOREVER PIC.TWITTER.COM/MNLBGGEIB1 7.0

— TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS (@MAPLELEAFS) JULY 18, 2020 Frederik Gauthier

Initially, it felt like Robertson’s upside and game-breaking potential would 8.1 be too much for the Leafs to ignore — and it was easy to see the extra pop he brought to Kerfoot and Kapanen, the game-breaking ability that It’s worth keeping in mind that, as one half of the Leafs second PK could decide a close game when the top two lines neutralize each other. twosome up front, Engvall’s opportunities often came against second But maybe the Leafs will determine that he’s not ready for this grand power-play units or tired first groups. But still, he was clearly a positive challenge having never even suited up in a preseason NHL game before. influence, what with those wheels and long reach. There’s also the Pierre Engvall element to consider: The Swede was an Flexibility behind the bench instrumental part of Keefe winning a Calder Cup with the Toronto Marlies and has at least some (48 games) NHL experience. Still on the mend from a shot he took to the leg Saturday, Zach Hyman didn’t participate in Sunday’s scrimmage. The result was a jumble of And while Engvall may not pack anywhere near the same punch, Keefe different combinations — from Matthews, Marner and Tavares on a line knows he can put the 24-year-old on the ice and not be concerned in together, to Nylander at centre, to Travis Dermott playing the right side quite the same way as he might with a teenager coming straight outta with Morgan Rielly. junior. It was a perfect illustration of what makes Keefe a little different behind The betting in this corner is still on Robertson emerging at some point the bench, particularly from his predecessor, Mike Babcock. He this season. He’s got a feel now, with a week under his belt, for this described Hyman’s absence for the day as “a natural chance to try whole unusual experience, and with that shot and a “tenaciousness” different things, and when you try different things you start to get even that’s impressed Auston Matthews, he may still make it “obvious.” more ideas because you see what can work, potentially.”

Robertson is likely the first option, too, if the Leafs suffer an injury up “I don’t think I’ll ever want to be too locked into anything,” the Leafs front. coach added. “And I think, I like to keep our players on their toes as well, but in doing so, it’s important that they have a level of comfort with any of It’s worth recalling that Sandin had a bumpy experience in Year 1 as a the people you might be trying them with.” Leaf. He often looked like the 19-year-old kid he was opposite bigger, stronger NHL competition. The Leafs had an expected goals mark of less Nylander, for one, was dynamite playing the middle — and has shined than 49 percent when he was on the ice, typically in a sheltered third throughout camp — and even seemed to find a connection with Ilya pairing role. They were outscored 21-15. Included in that was 113-plus Mikheyev. Keefe didn’t know what it might take for Nylander to end up minutes with Barrie, his most frequent partner, in which that expected back at centre, now or down the line, but it’s an option he at least wants goals mark tumbled below 46 percent. A Sandin-Barrie combo would to have in his back pocket. presumably become the third pair if Dermott moved up and Ceci came He’s already sprinkled in the odd Tavares-Matthews-Marner shift over his out. time as Leafs coach. “One of the things that I like is the ability to move Are the Leafs prepared to bet on all that youth — Dermott and Sandin — things around and that’s why you look for opportunities to do that,” Keefe with their season on the line? explained. — Stats and research courtesy of Natural Stat Trick, Hockey Reference, It’s going to be fascinating to see what all that flexibility looks like in an and hockeyDB. NHL playoff series, and how, or whether, it benefits the Leafs. The Athletic LOADED: 07.21.2020 Arguably no criticism of Babcock had more merit than his stubbornness, or rather, his unwillingness to budge from what he knew and trusted already. That was detrimental to the Leafs in last year’s playoffs especially when an aging Patrick Marleau remained in a relatively prominent role even as his effectiveness had plainly diminished. (In all fairness, with Nazem Kadri suspended and Nylander playing centre, Babcock’s options beyond Connor Brown were Tyler Ennis and Trevor Moore. Limited, in other words.)

(John E. Sokolowski / USA Today)

Babcock was notably reluctant to give Matthews and Marner anything more than a passing look together over three-plus seasons with both players on the roster. Even if his justification — that each player was capable of driving his own line — was somewhat sound, it missed what Keefe so clearly sees: That it can’t hurt to have the option just in case the moment ever calls for it.

Keefe explored the Matthews-Marner combo for months after replacing Babcock in November and found it worked. He also happened to discover a dangerous Nylander-Tavares twosome.

Now, if the Leafs are deep into Game 1 against the Jackets and have nothing cooking, the man behind the bench has a menu of things he can try, things that have worked in the past — maybe even Nylander at centre for a bit while Marner, Matthews and Tavares join forces.

Old reliable

Keefe started camp using an old Babcock favourite up front: Matthews, Nylander and Hyman on the same line. Though they have a long track record of success, it’s actually been a while since the trio logged any substantial time together.

The three forwards logged only 21 minutes together last season, what with Nylander gone for the first three months (remember the contract standoff?) and Hyman locked into place with Marner and Tavares. Their first real action together this season was in the final game before the pause March 10. In other words, the threesome hasn’t really played together at all since the 2017-18 season (645 minutes) when all three were different — less experienced, less effective — players.

In short, the line may be even more explosive in the days ahead.

Stay tuned.

Youth on the rise?

While Cody Ceci skated around with Rasmus Sandin in Sunday’s scrimmage, Rielly and Dermott reconnected. The two spent some time skating alongside one another during the smaller group workouts of Phase 2 just so Keefe could give it a go if needed down the line.

Is that time now?

The answer will depend on whether the Leafs believe Dermott, playing his off-side, is an upgrade on Ceci. It’s likely only Dermott’s surprisingly effective run in top pair duty late in the season that has them even considering it. Is the 23-year-old ready now to absorb that kind of similarly weighty load in a playoff series? And do it on the right side, a spot he’s rarely played in the NHL?

Subsequent to those questions is what becomes of Ceci. Since it’s unlikely Keefe slots two righties together, it’s likely that Sandin would draw into the lineup and Ceci would come out. Then, the question becomes: Is Sandin ready for that kind of challenge, at age 20, with 28 games of NHL experience? 1188908 Vegas Golden Knights

Golden Knights go through game-situation scrimmage at practice

By Ben Gotz

July 20, 2020 - 4:57 PM

The Golden Knights took another step toward game action Monday.

Coach Pete DeBoer put the team through a 30-minute scrimmage to start practice that simulated aspects of a real game. The Knights went through a normal warmup routine, watched goals go up on a scoreboard and switched sides after 15 minutes to practice long changes.

Team Grey — which featured the second and fourth lines, the first and third defensive pairs, goaltender Robin Lehner and some call-ups — defeated Team White 4-1.

“We’ve done a good job ramping it up,” said center Paul Stastny, whose line contributed two goals to Team Grey’s victory. “I felt like today, for us, was more about finding each other and creating more time and space, whether it was neutral zone, or d-zone or offensive zone. When you play gamelike situations in scrimmages like that, it’s a lot easier to grow that chemistry and see what each guy is thinking and talk on the bench between shifts.”

The Knights are one of several teams that have built longer scrimmages into training camp. The Toronto Maple Leafs are holding a scrimmage series between “Team Matthews” and “Team Andersen,” named for center Auston Matthews and goaltender Frederik Andersen. The Minnesota Wild held a full three-period scrimmage Saturday that went into overtime.

DeBoer said he’s comfortable going a little slower than those teams because the Knights aren’t in the NHL’s play-in round. Instead, he’ll continue to implement gamelike elements gradually the rest of camp.

“We have a little bit more runway, even though the round-robin games are important,” DeBoer said. “But we’re slowly adding some of those things, because after four months, those are the little things you have to get used to again. The shift length of games, the long change of the second period. Those type of things.”

Stastny, right wing Reilly Smith and defensemen Brayden McNabb and Nick Holden scored Team Grey’s goals. Holden’s was an empty-netter that sealed the victory.

Defenseman Deryk Engelland appeared to score Team White’s goal, though the puck might have bounced off teammate Nick Cousins.

Long road to Las Vegas

Goaltender Logan Thompson has skated at City National Arena the past two days away from the main group after signing an entry-level contract with the Knights on July 13.

The 23-year-old said he hopped in his car the day after signing and drove from Brandon, , to Las Vegas. He said the 1,500-mile journey took about 22 hours.

“It’s been a pretty fast-paced experience, but I’m really excited to be here,” Thompson said. “Just learning a lot and soaking everything in and trying to leave a good first impression.”

The 6-foot-4-inch netminder started the Knights’ first-ever rookie game in September 2017. He said he didn’t keep any mementos from that experience, but he clearly stayed on the team’s radar.

The Knights ultimately signed Thompson after a standout season in the ECHL, hockey’s equivalent of Double-A baseball. He was fourth in the league in goals-against average (2.25) and second in save percentage (.929).

LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 07.21.2020 1188909 Vegas Golden Knights

Golden Knights small favorite over Stars in round-robin opener

By Todd Dewey

July 20, 2020 - 3:48 PM

With the NHL preplayoffs fast approaching Aug. 1, Las Vegas sportsbooks have posted lines on all eight opening qualifying round games and all four opening round-robin games at Edmonton and Toronto.

The Golden Knights are -125 favorites over the Dallas Stars (+115) in their scheduled Aug. 3 round-robin game at Edmonton. Vegas is +205 on the puck line (-1½) at the Westgate and the total is 5½ (Under -130).

The Blues and Avalanche are each -105 in the other Western Conference round-robin game on Aug. 2.

In the Eastern Conference round-robin games in Toronto, the Bruins are -130 favorites over the Flyers (+120) on Aug. 2 and the Lightning are - 125 favorites over the Capitals (+115) on Aug. 3.

The winners of the best-of-five qualifying round series will advance to face one of the round-robin teams in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Here are the lines on the five qualifying round games scheduled for Aug. 1:

— Penguins (-165) over Canadiens (+150)

— Hurricanes (-125) over Rangers (+115)

— Panthers (-105) vs. Islanders (-105)

— Oilers (-145) over Blackhawks (+132)

— Flames (-115) over Jets (+105)

A bettor at the Westgate placed a $5,500 straight wager to win $5,000 on Calgary over Winnipeg in Game 1 and a $2,200 bet to win $2,000 on the Flames to win the series.

Here are the lines on the three qualifying round games scheduled for Aug. 2:

— Maple Leafs (-150) over Blue Jackets (+135)

— Predators (-125) over Coyotes (+115)

— Canucks (-115) over Wild (+105)

The NHL exhibition game schedule is slated to start July 28. The Knights are scheduled to play Arizona at 7 p.m. on July 30. Lines have yet to be posted on the exhibitions.

Vegas is the 6-1 favorite to win the Stanley Cup, followed by Tampa Bay (7-1), Boston (7-1) and Colorado (8-1).

“We’ve taken a bunch of money on Toronto (12-1) and Edmonton (30-1). The Rangers (60-1) have gotten a lot of money,” Westgate sportsbook vice president of risk Ed Salmons said. “They’re betting on all these long shots.”

LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 07.21.2020 1188910 Vegas Golden Knights Nick Cousins took Pacioretty’s usual spot on left wing alongside center William Karlsson and right wing Mark Stone during the scrimmage.

LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL LOADED: 07.21.2020 Golden Knights’ Max Pacioretty out, but not due to coronavirus

By David Schoen

July 20, 2020 - 10:46 am

Updated July 20, 2020 - 6:06 PM

Like many others, Pete DeBoer is still getting used to the NHL’s new normal for disclosing a player’s injury or illness.

The Golden Knights coach turned to a team spokesperson for help as he updated the status of left wing Max Pacioretty, who did not skate in Monday’s scrimmage or the special teams practice that followed at City National Arena.

Then, DeBoer may have offered a little more than he was permitted.

“What’s the standard line? What are we supposed to say?” DeBoer asked. “Unable to participate.”

He continued, “But for his family’s sake, it’s not a positive (COVID-19) test.”

As part of the NHL’s return-to-play plan, teams are not permitted to release information about injuries or illness during Phase Three training camp and the 24-team postseason tournament.

The policy was instituted to protect the privacy of players and was a high priority in negotiations, according to NHL Players’ Association executive Mathieu Schneider.

But since there’s no distinction between a hamstring pull and positive COVID-19 test, the ambiguity has created more speculation than those “upper body” and “lower body” injury labels coaches love so much.

For instance, Bruins forward David Pastrnak practiced Wednesday after missing the first two days of camp, then was ruled “unfit to participate” the following day. The 48-goal scorer hasn’t been on the ice since.

With rumors rampant, his agent confirmed to Boston media last week that Pastrnak tested negative for COVID-19 but remains under quarantine after being in contact with someone who tested positive.

The Bruins had nine players “unfit to participate” Saturday, and Charlie Coyle’s agent later confirmed the forward was held out after an inconclusive COVID-19 test. Coyle subsequently tested negative and was one of six Bruins who returned to practice Monday.

The league released a statement Monday that noted two players tested positive for COVID-19 out of the 2,618 tests administered to more than 800 players from July 13 to Friday.

“We understand as a league we have an obligation of some transparency with respect to the COVID virus in particular,” NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said July 11. “At least for now, we’re going to maintain a policy where the league is announcing basically league numbers, and clubs are really prohibited from giving any information with respect to COVID test results, and for purposes of making the system work, any injury information going forward.”

It may be worth noting that Pacioretty’s status was handled differently by DeBoer than when goalie Marc-Andre Fleury missed the first three days of training camp.

DeBoer said Fleury was given a “maintenance day” when camp opened July 13 and never gave him the “unable to participate” label, presumably to downplay the issue. Fleury returned to the ice Friday after an off day.

Pacioretty led the Knights with 32 goals and 66 points in 71 games during the regular season. He was ruled out with a lower-body injury March 11 before the league paused because of the coronavirus pandemic, but was on the ice during Phase Two and was a full participant at training camp.

The Knights are scheduled to leave for Edmonton on Sunday and play an exhibition game July 30 against Arizona. Their first round-robin game against Dallas is set for Aug. 3. 1188911 Vegas Golden Knights scrimmages’ purpose is to help the Golden Knights feel more comfortable when they’re soon playing a meaningful game.

“Every day is a step closer to where we want to be, including myself,” Golden Knights trying to simulate playoff action with live scrimmages Stastny said. “Come Aug. 11, 12 when the top 16 plays, I think everyone’s going to be really ready to go.”

LAS VEGAS SUN LOADED: 07.21.2020 By Justin Emerson

Tuesday, July 21, 2020 | 2 a.m.

The Golden Knights started Monday’s practice by throwing 30 minutes on the clock and activating the scoreboard. They split the squad into two groups and proceeded to simulate game, even swapping sides halfway through to get used to the second-period long change.

These types of setups will become commonplace in the final week of practice before the Golden Knights report to Edmonton for the postseason. They haven’t played a real game in more than four months, so they’re doing everything they can to prepare for the playoffs to begin.

“Every scrimmage you’ll see from Day 1 … I think you’re going to see more and more game-like stuff,” forward Paul Stastny said. “Guys are more fresh, there’s more control, more talking, more thinking out there. I think we’re making the right steps.”

Stastny said sometimes when teams jump right into scrimmages at camp there is a tendency to play “summer hockey,” which more closely resembles a pickup game than a Stanley Cup playoff contest. The Golden Knights didn’t do that, and couldn’t even if they wanted to, according to Stastny.

Coach Peter DeBoer wouldn’t allow it to happen.

DeBoer demands supreme focus and readiness ahead of the restarted season. Vegas has held full scrimmages at the end of most training- camp practices, including the first day, but they are beginning to look and feel more and more like games.

“We haven’t rushed into maybe some of the things that you read around the league,” DeBoer said. “After four months those are the little things you have to get used to again: the shift length of games, the long change of the second period, those types of things. We’ll add them slowly as we go.”

DeBoer said he wasn’t worried about some of the nuances other teams have installed — he isn’t planning on taking TV timeouts or pausing before the scrimmage for the anthem or wearing game jerseys — because he doesn’t believe the team needs it.

The Golden Knights have the luxury of an exhibition game before the tournament formally begins then three round-robin games for seeding only with no risk of getting sent home early if they perform poorly.

“I think we have a little bit more runway even though the round-robin games are important,” DeBoer said.

The Golden Knights play their exhibition next week, on July 30 against the Arizona Coyotes, but still have a minimum of 22 days before the elimination round begins.

Monday’s scrimmage was the closest they’ve come to a real game, and there were real takeaways to draw from it. It’s still practice, of course, but the line of Paul Stastny, Reilly Smith and Jonathan Marchessault looked excellent.

All the goals were scored either right in front of the net or as a result of crowding the lane in front of the goalie.

The Golden Knights are having fun with it too. About halfway through, Marc-Andre Fleury stonewalled Marchessault on a partial breakaway and jokingly mocked him with a modified Ali shuffle.

When Ryan Reaves saw the opposing team was pulling its goalie, he loudly announced he wanted on the ice to try to score the empty netter.

“It gives the guys a chance to up the pace and get that game-like feel,” defenseman Zach Whitecloud said. “Just gives us a chance to compete too, which is always fun.”

Team Gray beat Team White 4-1, but no one will remember that, or perhaps any specifics about the scrimmage, by next week. The 1188912 Vegas Golden Knights He could appear in up to nine games with Vegas without using a year of his entry-level contract. If the Golden Knights decide he needs more seasoning after nine games, they could still return him to Winnipeg.

Take Five: Observations from Golden Knights’ first week of training camp This is unprecedented territory for the Golden Knights. They’ve never used such a maneuver, but they’ve also never had a cap crunch quite like the one next year and had such a high-ceiling player waiting in the wings. By Justin Emerson Special teams will be an emphasis Monday, July 20, 2020 | 2 a.m. The Golden Knights were 27th in the league this season in the penalty

kill with a 76.6 percent success rate. In 22 games under DeBoer, it went The Vegas Golden Knights head off to the NHL’s western conference down to 70.7 percent. postseason bubble in Edmonton in six days and play their lone exhibition They want to change that. Every goal is magnified in the postseason, so game in 10 days. special teams are a chance to turn a game, or even a series, on its head, That means they’re about halfway done with the formal training camp as Reilly Smith said this week. DeBoer even tried out Shea Theodore on that began a week ago at City National Arena, so let’s take stock of the penalty kill Saturday, a player who has a total of 11:31 short-handed what's happened so far. ice time this season.

Here are five observations from at the midway point of training camp. The power play was better, with a 20.8 percent success rate to sit 10th in the league since the DeBoer arrived. The lines are set Most of the special teams work so far has been done away from the view Or at least they appear to be. The Golden Knights have used the same of media, but it seems to have been a focal point. line combinations all week for players expected to see action in the playoffs. Here’s how it would appear the Golden Knights plan to line up: Goalies soaring

Max Pacioretty — William Karlsson — Mark Stone In perhaps the least surprising development of training camp, one of the best goaltending duos in the league has lived up to their billing. Jonathan Marchessault — Paul Stastny — Reilly Smith Robin Lehner, who has skated with the full group since camp begin on Chandler Stephenson — Nicolas Roy — Alex Tuch Monday, has been particularly impenetrable. On Wednesday, Patrick Brown scored on him and the entire team cheered, celebrating that William Carrier — Nick Cousins — Ryan Reaves someone finally beat him. Brayden McNabb — Nate Schmidt Marc-Andre Fleury didn’t arrive to camp until Friday but hasn’t appeared Alex Martinez — Shea Theodore to miss a beat. He’s stymied his teammates as much as Lehner.

Nick Holden — Zach Whitecloud Only one goalie can start Game 1 of the playoffs, so decision time is coming soon. But right now, Vegas is happy to have two goalies ready to Marc-Andre Fleury, Robin Lehner start a playoff game.

Two weeks remain until games begin, so there’s plenty of time for LAS VEGAS SUN LOADED: 07.21.2020 change. Jon Merrill and Deryk Engelland have been skating as a pair. And whole he’s outside the top 12 forwards, Tomas Nosek will likely be used in some capacity.

The only real uncertainty sits with the goalies.

Healthy Alex Tuch

If Tuch is back healthy and poised to get back to his 2018-2019 form, watch out.

The talented winger was terrific for the Golden Knights two seasons ago, standing out as the best player on the ice for a weeks at a time after returning from an early-season injury. He had 20 goals, 52 points and made his long-term deal look like a steal for the Golden Knights.

But he took a step back this year with only 17 points in 42 games. Injuries have haunted Tuch, but the bumps and bruises might be healed after four months off.

It sure looks like it. Tuch has been zipping around the ice at camp and scored the first goal in Saturday’s scrimmage.

He’s also still 24-years-old and signed for six more years after this one. One upcoming postseason isn’t going to define him, but if he catches fire the way the Golden Knights hope he can, he could make for a scary matchup for opponents’ down-lineup defensemen.

Top prospect impressing

Coach Peter DeBoer said it on his first day: Peyton Krebs has not looked out of place in his first NHL training camp. While it remains unlikely Krebs appears in the playoffs, he could push for playing time next season.

He’s still junior-eligible, so sending him to Winnipeg in the Wester Hockey League for another year of development is the standard route. But because of the NHL-CHL agreement, he must either play with the Golden Knights or be sent back to juniors — he can’t be sent to the American Hockey League. 1188913 Vegas Golden Knights For a rookie, initiating contact with other teammates can be one of the toughest parts of joining the big club. Living with the most talented player on the team in Stone certainly helps Krebs in that regard.

Living with Mark Stone, Peyton Krebs getting an assist adjusting to Peyton Krebs battles with Shea Theodore while Mark Stone looks on. Vegas (Courtesy of the Vegas Golden Knights)

“Just being able to be in that loop is huge,” Stone said. “I was 25 at the time, and Cowen was only a year older than me but had played in the By Jesse Granger Jul 20, 2020 league for three or four years. You get into that loop of hanging out with seven or eight guys, having dinner, and getting that familiarity and

comfortability around your teammates.” A few weeks ago Peyton Krebs boarded a plane in his hometown of That’s exactly what Krebs has done over the last week with Stone. The Calgary, and flew 1,000 miles south to Las Vegas, where he has no two were glued to Stone’s television for the last four days watching the place of residence, in the middle of a global pandemic. PGA Tour’s Memorial Tournament. They’re both avid golfers, and it was Under normal circumstances, Golden Knights prospects and AHL call- Tiger Woods’ first appearance since February, so who can blame them? ups stay at the Red Rock Casino Resort in Las Vegas. It sits “It’s fun having him,” Stone said. “He adds excitement and energy. It conveniently across the street from the practice facility, and most agree makes my life more enjoyable, really. My fiancée and my three dogs it’s a great setup. But these circumstances are far from normal. went back to Canada, so I was living by myself, getting a little bit bored, Instead Krebs had to quarantine inside an apartment for his first 14 days so I’m excited to get him back in the house.” in order to comply with international travel policies surrounding the Saturday night Stone and Krebs joined Golden Knights’ defensemen COVID-19 outbreak. It can be a jarring experience for a 19-year-old who Brayden McNabb and Nick Holden for a barbecue dinner. had never even skated with most of his Vegas teammates prior to camp. Add to that the fact that he’s dealing with scorching summer “I was fortunate enough that (Stone) let me stay, and I’m pretty happy to temperatures never seen in his hometown. be able to do that,” Krebs said. “He’s really welcoming, and he’s a big mentor for me so I’m thankful to have that.” “This heat is crazy,” Krebs said. “It took a bit to get used to. The hottest day I think was like 17 degrees (63 degrees Fahrenheit) where I’m from But for Krebs, one of the best perks of living with Stone is the swimming back in Alberta, so there’s a big difference for sure. Going outside you pool. melt a bit.” “What Mark said to me is (Las Vegas) is hot, but you get used to it and It’s barely dipped below 100 degrees Fahrenheit since Krebs landed in learn to love it,” Krebs said. “I’m just trying to learn to love it. I didn’t have Las Vegas. He’s had plenty of adjusting to do, on and off the ice, but a pool or anything back at the apartment, so it will be nice to have that.” luckily for him, he’s had some help. Stone said the two have spent plenty of time around the pool at his Veteran forward Mark Stone has taken Krebs under his wing, even house, mostly reminiscing about their days playing junior hockey in the allowing him to live at Stone’s house as soon as Krebs’ quarantine period Western Hockey League. For Krebs, those days are only a handful of ended. months ago. For Stone, it’s been a bit longer.

“I was fortunate enough to live with him before,” said Krebs, who stayed But whether you played in the WHL decades ago, or currently play there, with Stone briefly last year while rehabbing an Achilles laceration that Stone says you become part of a lifetime fraternity. happened just before the Golden Knights drafted him. “He’s a guy that I’ve been texting a lot. He tells me to just have fun and do what I can to “Yeah it definitely is, as much as we don’t want to admit it,” Stone said work hard. Like I said, it’s my first camp so he said not to put any with a laugh. “You just have stuff to talk about and stories to laugh about. pressure on myself and just have fun.” You can laugh about the seven-hour ride to Prince Albert for a day game, at least for me. Peyton had a six-hour bus ride to Regina for a day game. Stone has been in Krebs’ shoes before and wants to help him feel as You just laugh about the stuff you did as younger guys, and it gives you comfortable as possible. stuff to relate to.”

“Getting called up is awesome, but sometimes you can feel a little bit Cowen, grew up in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, and played his WHL uncomfortable because you haven’t been a part of the group for the hockey with the Spokane Chiefs from 2007-11. Smith grew up in Maple entire year, or for an extended period of time,” Stone told The Athletic on Creek, Saskatchewan, and played with the Swift Current Broncos from a phone call Sunday afternoon. “That’s the easiest way to get 2005-08. They both mentored Stone, who grew up in Winnipeg and comfortable with your teammates, hanging out with them outside of the played for the from 2008-12. And now Stone is rink.” mentoring Krebs, who grew up in Calgary and is in the midst of his WHL career with the Winnipeg Ice. Krebs’ position is unique. As a first-round pick, he’s clearly talented enough to skate with his Vegas teammates, but unlike most of the other “Those Western League guys take care of each other,” Golden Knights players in camp he hasn’t battled through a rigorous regular season. He coach Peter DeBoer said with a laugh when asked about Krebs’ living wasn’t on the long road trips. He wasn’t there for the euphoric wins and situation. “Stone has been fantastic. You couldn’t ask for a better mentor crushing losses. or example on the ice, and I think off the ice too. He’s all business. Even through Phase 1 and 2, Stone was one of the first guys here, ready to It would be easy for Krebs to feel a disconnect, but Stone has made it a work and set the tone. For a young guy coming into the league he’s a point to help him integrate as seamlessly as possible. great role model.” “When you’re in the hotel, you’re nervous to text somebody,” Stone said. Whether he’s lounging poolside reminiscing about bus rides through “Or nervous to do anything. You don’t really get to hang out with guys Western Canada, or on the ice at City National Arena, Krebs remains who aren’t in the hotel. I think guys do a good job of inviting you over for glued to Stone’s hip, absorbing every bit of knowledge he can. dinner here or there, but when you’re trapped in a hotel instead of in a place, you tend to not do anything or have that interaction with your “It’s pretty much my first NHL training camp where I get to actually skate,” teammates.” Krebs said. “It’s a lot of fun. Getting the call was pretty special. My goal is to make the NHL, so I’m just here to learn a lot.” When Stone first broke into the NHL in Ottawa, he had similar mentors who helped him along the way. The only question now is which WHL draft pick in the class of 2028 will be living with Krebs? “When I first got called up I stayed with (Senators defenseman) Jared Cowen for a little bit. He always helped me out, gave me a place to stay The Athletic LOADED: 07.21.2020 and made me feel comfortable,” Stone said. “Later on (Ottawa forward) Zack Smith always opened his door to me when I got called up, just so I didn’t have to stay in the hotel. It makes life easier, and more comfortable when you’re hanging out with a guy who had been on the team for a while.” 1188914 Washington Capitals

Capitals defenseman John Carlson named Norris Trophy finalist

Samantha Pell

July 20, 2020 at 12:09 PM EDT

Washington Capitals defenseman John Carlson was named a Norris Trophy finalist Monday, along with the Nashville Predators’ Roman Josi and the Tampa Bay Lightning’s Victor Hedman.

Carlson was an early favorite for the honor, awarded to the NHL’s best defenseman, after his blazing offensive start to the season. After just 11 games, teammates were campaigning for him openly, with captain Alex Ovechkin starting a “Johnny for Norris” hashtag on Twitter.

Carlson, 30, has never won the award. He finished fourth in voting after the 2018-19 season and fifth in 2017-18. Carlson was selected to play in his second All-Star Game this year.

“It is huge. ... It is an honor for me personally, but it is also a cool thing within your team and organization to kind of rally behind you,” Carlson said of being a Norris finalist for the first time.

Carlson would be the second player in franchise history to win the Norris. Rod Langway won it twice, in 1983 and 1984. This season, Carlson led all defensemen in points (75) and assists (60) and set or tied career highs in every offensive category.

“When you are hot, you are hot, and everything he touched was something like a goal or he got an assist,” Capitals winger Richard Panik said. “It is always great to have someone on the team like that.”

Carlson finished 10 points ahead of the next highest-scoring defenseman, with Josi recording 65 and Hedman third with 55. Carlson averaged 1.09 points per game, the most by a defenseman since Ray Bourque (Boston Bruins), Sergei Zubov (New York Rangers) and Al MacInnis (Calgary Flames) in the 1993-94 season. Bourque won the Norris that season.

“It is well-deserved for [Carlson] to be in the final three, and [he] ultimately should be, in my opinion, the favorite to win it,” Capitals Coach Todd Reirden said.

Despite the regular season being shortened by 13 games by the novel coronavirus pandemic, Carlson’s 75 points were the fourth most by a Capitals defenseman in franchise history, and they trailed the franchise record, set by Larry Murphy in 1986-87, by six.

“John obviously had an unbelievable year. ... Just his passing ability, his skill level — he’s unbelievable,” Josi said. “It is an honor to be nominated with those two guys.”

Josi also posted career highs in several categories, including points (65), goals (16) and assists (49). His points and assists were franchise records for a defenseman. He also scored the most points in a season by any Predators player since 2009 and had the eighth-best scoring season in team history.

The Norris Trophy is awarded “to the defenseman who demonstrates throughout the season the greatest all-round ability in the position.” It is named after former Detroit Red Wings owner James E. Norris and has been handed out annually since the 1953-54 season.

Calgary’s Mark Giordano won the award for the 2018-19 season, and Hedman won the year prior.

NHL announces schedule changes

The NHL announced that the Capitals’ third round-robin game against the Bruins originally scheduled for Aug. 8 will now be played Aug. 9. The round-robin game between the Philadelphia Flyers and the Lightning originally scheduled for Aug. 9 will now be played Aug. 8. Both games will still be played in Toronto, and their start times are still to be announced.

The league did not provide a reason for the changes.

Washington Post LOADED: 07.21.2020 1188915 Washington Capitals “Even though a lot of us have kids, we’re still kids at heart,” Oshie said. “So there will be a lot of video games. Typically, we’re a big Mario Kart team, so you kind of get some competition and some fun with that. We definitely have our card players. [Goaltender Braden Holtby] plays the Hockey in August isn’t even going to be the weirdest part guitar, so I don’t even know if we’re allowed to be in a room yet, but if we could all get in a room and Holts just jams…”

On the ice, the atmosphere also will be a stark change because all Samantha Pell games will be played without fans. Wilson, a player who thrives on the July 20, 2020 at 6:00 AM EDT positive or negative energy from the crowd, admitted, “It’s going to be extremely weird.”

“I think there will definitely be times when it gets a little bit quiet out there, As the NHL tries to resume play Aug. 1 in Toronto and Edmonton, 24 but I guess we’ll just pretend that we’re playing in a rink that has a little teams will enter a hockey world unlike any they have known before, with less atmosphere than we’re privileged to have in D.C.,” Wilson said. The uncertainties that include quality of play, time apart from families, winger also noted that, in a quiet arena, the back-and-forth chatter on the restrictions inside secure zones and, above all, the success of the plan. ice is bound to be heard.

The Washington Capitals will head to Toronto on Sunday with 11 other “I’ll have to watch, I guess, what I’m saying,” Wilson said. “Less F-words Eastern Conference teams. The 12 teams returning from the Western and stuff like that.” Conference will go to Edmonton. Players are preparing with a two-week training camp that started July 13 after a four-month layoff precipitated by Taking into account the unconventional on- and off-ice circumstances the novel coronavirus pandemic. After such a long break and amid so that the restart brings, there may be some discussion about whether this many unknowns, the upcoming Stanley Cup playoffs seem like even year’s Stanley Cup champion is legitimate. The Capitals dismiss that more of an “anyone can win” event than usual. notion.

Teams that thought they were carrying much-needed momentum toward “I think every player knows, if you’re in this and if you win it, it’s going to the postseason suddenly saw everything halt when play was paused feel just as good as winning any other Stanley Cup,” Capitals winger Carl March 12, and teams that were struggling have been given fresh starts. Hagelin said. “It’ll be different. This will probably be the most memorable Injured players were given four months to heal, and certain teams that in that sense — there are a lot of obstacles you’ve got to get through.” looked to be out of the postseason picture have been given a chance to Washington Post LOADED: 07.21.2020 play their way in. As Capitals General Manager Brian MacLellan said recently, the 2020 postseason should be “wildly entertaining.”

“It might not be perfect hockey right out of the gate, but it never really is anyway in our sport,” Capitals winger Tom Wilson said. “There’s lots of bounces and stuff. So everybody’s in a different position around the world. We’re professional hockey players, and our job is to get back and get as ready as we can to play a playoff-type game out of the gate. And we’re prepared in our room. Whether there’s adversity or whatever, we’re ready to try and do that.”

Just six players in the entire league have opted out of participating in the return to play: Calgary’s Travis Hamonic, Edmonton’s Mike Green, Boston’s Steven Kampfer, Montreal’s Karl Alzner, Vancouver’s Sven Baertschi and Dallas’s Roman Polak. But positive coronavirus tests continue to increase across the league, which is releasing numbers weekly. Teams are barred from reporting or commenting on why players are absent from practice to keep the players’ medical information private.

“I wouldn’t be surprised at all to see if there’s going to be more positive tests around the league, maybe even here,” Capitals center Lars Eller said. “I would not be surprised.”

Players are not on a strict lockdown off the ice during training camp, but once teams arrive in their hub cities, they will be staying in a designated secure zone for the length of their postseason run. There are two hotels designated for teams in each of the two hub cities, and hotel rooms have been assigned.

The Capitals will be staying in Hotel X in Toronto with the Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Tampa Bay Lightning and Boston Bruins.

Details of life inside the hotel and the secure zone are still being determined. Capitals winger T.J. Oshie said the team isn’t sure of the exact regulations, but he plans to spend a lot of time on FaceTime with his young family. In a typical postseason, players are accustomed to constant travel back and forth from their home cities to their opponents’ cities. But this year, players on teams that advance past the qualifying round will be away from family for at least four weeks. Players on teams that reach the Stanley Cup finals could be away until October.

“For me, it’s going to be a lot of time on FaceTime with the family, and it’s going to suck,” Oshie said. “The worst part about this is not being able to see our families, so hopefully we’re able to just hang out with all the guys in the rooms — if not right away, hopefully down the road. But it’s going to be different; it’s going to be weird. It’s going to kind of feel like you’re a kid again and you can’t drive and you can’t do anything.”

Oshie also joked that the Capitals probably will be partaking in a lot of video games and card games. Some live music also could be arranged. 1188916 Washington Capitals

Capitals' Carlson named finalist for Norris Trophy

By Adam Zielonka - The Washington Times - Monday, July 20, 2020

The Washington Capitals‘ “Johnny for Norris” campaign has moved another step closer to its goal.

John Carlson was named a finalist Monday for the James Norris Memorial Trophy, honoring the NHL’s best defenseman.

Joining Carlson as finalists were the Nashville Predators’ Roman Josi and the Tampa Bay Lightning’s Victor Hedman. It’s Carlson’s first time as a top-three finalist, after finishing fourth in voting last year and fifth in 2017-18.

Carlson and Josi are considered the front-runners for the award. The NHL won’t reveal award winners until September, during the conference finals.

Carlson led all NHL defensemen in assists (60) and total points (75). His 1.09 point-per-game average was the highest of any blueliner to play at least 50 games since 1993-94, putting Carlson on pace to finish with 89 points had the season not been suspended.

He also averaged 1:30 per game of shorthanded ice time, steering the Capitals‘ penalty kill to the sixth-best success rate in the NHL.

Josi, like Carlson, is seeking his first Norris and made the top three in voting for the first time in his career. Hedman, who won the 2018 Norris, is a finalist for the fourth consecutive season.

The only Washington player to win the Norris was Rod Langway, who earned it back-to-back years in 1982-83 and 1983-84. The Capitals‘ last Norris finalist came in 2010, when Mike Green was the runner-up.

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John Carlson named Norris finalist, but can he beat Roman Josi?

By J.J. Regan July 20, 2020 12:07 PM

After a brilliant 2019-20 season, John Carlson has been named a finalist for the Norris Trophy as the top defenseman, the NHL announced on Monday. This is the first time Carlson has been named a finalist. The other two finalists are Roman Josi of the Nashville Predators and Victor Hedman of the Tampa Bay Lightning.

While the Capitals have struggled defensively this season, Carlson has been one of the few bright spots on the blue line. Carlson led the league in points for defensemen with 75, 10 clear of Josi who was second and 20 more than Hedman who was third with 55. Though 75 points doesn't jump off the page historically, Carlson managed that many points in only 69 games as the season was shortened due to the coronavirus. With 1.09 points per game, that ranks as the best offensive season by a defenseman since 1993-94. He was on pace for 89 points, a mark reached by only nine defensemen in history. He played in every game, ranked seventh in the league in ice time and averaged the longest shift per game for all defensemen with 0:58. He also ranked third in blocked shots. His strong season earned him a spot in the All-Star Game in St. Louis.

If Carlson wins the award, he will be only the second Capitals player to do so. Rod Langway won it in both in 1983 and1984.

To do so, however, he will have to beat Josi. With all due respect to Hedman who had a fine season, this is a two-horse race between Carlson and Josi.

Josi ranked second in points among all defensemen behind only Carlson. He may not have led the league, but he did actually lead his team in points. Carlson led the Caps, but Josi did not have the benefit of also having a player like Alex Ovechkin so a case could be made that Josi's offensive contributions were actually more important to his team than Carlson's. Josi played at least 25 minutes in 41 of the 69 games he played while Carlson did so only 31 times. Nashville's website also lays out a strong analytical case saying Josi led all defensemen in zone exits per game, zone entries per game and offensive zone puck possession time.

Overall, did Josi have a better defensive season than Carlson? Yes, that seems pretty clear. Carlson's case for the Norris is in the history of what he was accomplishing this season.

So who should win the Norris? Will it be Josi who was better defensively or Carlson who was producing at a pace on offense we have not seen in nearly 30 years? That's a really tough choice.

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2020 NHL restart: Capitals schedule, opponents, format and odds

By Lia Assimakopoulos July 20, 2020 11:45 AM

Nearly five months after the NHL put its season on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Capitals are set to make their return for the postseason in a matter of weeks.

Washington and 23 other NHL teams will travel to Edmonton and Toronto to compete for the Stanley Cup starting Aug. 1. However, this year’s road to the Cup will look significantly different than past seasons.

Here’s everything you need to know about hockey’s return.

When does the NHL season resume?

The NHL resumes its season on Aug. 1 with the Capitals playing their first game on Aug. 3 against the Lightning. The league decided to forgo the remaining regular-season games on its schedule and return with a tournament setup. The Stanley Cup Qualifiers include 16 teams that will play eight best-of-five series. At the same time, a round-robin tournament will take place where the top four teams in each conference will compete to determine seeding for the playoffs.

What does this mean for the Capitals?

The Capitals finished the regular season with a 41-20-8 record and 90 points. They barely claimed the Metropolitan Division title for the fifth consecutive year, edging out the Flyers by one point. They rank third in the Eastern Conference behind the Bruins and Lightning.

Washington will resume its season on Aug. 3 at 4:00 p.m. in a round- robin matchup with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Where will the NHL’s restart take place?

Eastern Conference games will be held at Scotiabank Place in Toronto while Western Conference games will take place at Rogers Place in Edmonton. These two hub cities will serve as respective bubbles for each conference.

Which teams are participating?

Twenty-four teams will take part in the expanded postseason. The seven that did not make the cut are the Buffalo Sabres, New Jersey Devils, Anaheim Ducks, Los Angeles Kings, San Jose Sharks, Ottawa Senators and Detroit Red Wings.

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Previously On: Capitals win 5th straight Metropolitan Division title

By J.J. Regan July 20, 2020 10:00 AM

At long last, hockey is almost back! The Capitals begin the 2020 postseason on Aug. 3, nearly five months after the 2019-20 season was initially paused due to the coronavirus. That’s a long time ago. Let’s take a look back at the biggest stories of the 2019-20 season to refresh our memories before the Caps continue their quest for a second Stanley Cup.

With the regular season officially over, the Capitals are the Metropolitan Division winners for the fifth consecutive season, but just barely.

From the start of the season to Dec. 22, Washington was the best team in the league with a 26-6-5 record. That was five points clear of the St. Louis Blues and six points clear of the Boston Bruins. From Dec. 23 to the pause, however, the Caps really struggled. After starting off 26-6-5, Washington went 15-14-3. To make matters worse, the Philadelphia Flyers were suddenly one of the hottest teams in the NHL and hot on the heels of the Caps in the division standings.

A race that looked like it was already over in December was suddenly heating up.

On March 9, the Caps had to rally from a 2-0 third-period deficit against the Buffalo Sabres just to salvage a point. The next day with a chance to claim the division lead, Philadelphia lost 2-0 to the Boston Bruins. That was the final game either team would play.

Two third period goals from Alex Ovechkin and Dmitry Orlov in a shootout loss to one of the worst teams in the NHL proved to be the difference for the Caps.

Had the season played out as scheduled or even if just another five games had been played, Washington almost certainly would have lost the division to the Flyers. Heck, had both teams played one more game, Philadelphia may have won it.

Time, however, was on the Caps’ side and their fifth consecutive division title is now the longest run of division titles for Washington in franchise history.

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Coaches' Roundtable: How Walter Payton got Ron Rivera into coaching

By Peter Hailey July 20, 2020 9:00 AM

Scott Brooks wanted to know something that countless sports fans before him have thought about and countless ones after him will think about, too: Was his idol truly as special as he seemed from the outside?

So, Brooks asked Ron Rivera that question during NBC Sports Washington’s recent Coaches Roundtable. Fortunately, Rivera just so happened to share a locker room with the guy Brooks was wondering about.

“Walter Payton, I just loved him,” Brooks said. “I just loved everything about him. It seemed like he never took a play off. It seemed like he always said the right things on and off the field. Is that who he really was? Or is it — sometimes we’ve been around it, sometimes it’s not really the truth. But he seems like that guy was always right on.”

Brooks no doubt loved the answer that came back his way.

“He was a tremendous man, tremendous person,” Rivera responded.

In fact, Payton was one of the first to welcome Rivera to Chicago when the Bears picked him out of Cal in 1984.

“I get drafted, they fly you out right away to meet the press and all that,” Rivera recalled. “So, I fly into Chicago. They walk me into the locker room. Who’s the first player I meet? Walter Payton. And we kind of strike up a bond.”

That bond didn’t just help Rivera during his playing days, either. It influenced his next fruitful career as well.

“He’s actually the guy that helped me get into coaching,” Rivera said.

According to Rivera, Payton approached him once while Rivera was doing some radio and TV reporting for a sports station in Chicago, and the two began chatting about Rivera trying to break into coaching. That’s when the Hall of Fame running back told Rivera he’d bring it up with Bears ownership, which kickstarted a process that’s now given Rivera more than 20 years on the sidelines.

Those two stories are just a couple of examples that prove that Sweetness really was as sweet as Brooks and millions of others wanted him to be.

"He’s everything that you’ve ever heard and ever seen,” Rivera confirmed. “He was phenomenal."

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 07.21.2020 1188921 Washington Capitals The Wizards took a different route with reading to go along with their popular yoga sessions.

“We started a book club and so some of the guys are participating in Coaches' Roundtable: Zoom calls, book clubs and happy hours part of that,” Brooks said. coaching during a pandemic All approaches are a way to bond and maintain some form of socialization. For the Mystics, that includes a five o’clock happy hour.

By Julie Donaldson July 20, 2020 9:00 AM “Everybody could do whatever,” Thibault said. “They could drink at home or if they didn't drink, (get) something else and just let it be a social thing, rather than a basketball thing and let them blow off steam.“

Leading a team when you can’t be with your team has impacted coaches That idea received praise from Brooks. across all sports. “We haven't done the happy hour yet, Mike,” Brooks said. “Maybe you The ongoing coronavirus pandemic changed the way the world goes can invite me on that one. I wouldn't mind going to that one. Can we keep about their business and left head coaches searching for ways to it going during the season as well?” motivate their players in the months before pro sports in the United States made their long-awaited return. Fortunately, there will be sports again. A plan to resume play is in place or the Capitals and Wizards, Training camp, for now, is scheduled to go Enter Zoom, a virtual meeting place most of us had never heard of off on time for the Redskins and with the return to action there are hopes before. In the days of quarantine and lock downs, it became a norm in that virtual coaching becomes a thing of the past. our daily work routines. It has also been the main resource for coaches to communicate with their players. Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 07.21.2020

NBC Sports Washington held a head coaches roundtable discussion with Washington football’s Ron Rivera, the Wizards’ Scott Brooks, the Capitals’ Todd Reirden and the Mystics’ Mike Thibault. It offered the perfect opportunity to share different strategies in this new virtual world.

Reirden is the newest to the head coach role, waiting to finish his second season as leader of his team, and he took advantage of the chat by asking his peers for advice.

“Any strategies you guys have used during this pandemic that you've found have really worked out well for you? Whether it's Zoom calls or sending something out?” Reirden asked.

Rivera answered first. He was only in town a few months before the lockdown was put in place and had yet to meet the majority of his players in person. But the way he approached learning about his team kept them on their toes.

“As the head coach I just pop into the different meetings and then what I do is I'll text each guy individually later that day,” Rivera said. “And say, ‘Hey, I thought that was a great question you had.’ or ‘Hey, I really appreciate your answer.’”

Rivera said it’s funny to see the reaction when he catches his guys by surprise. While he’s letting them know to always stay on point, he says the feedback from players has been positive. They appreciate that he’s listening to them and paying attention.

RELATED: MYSTICS COACH MIKE THIBAULT USES HUMOR TO EASE PLAYERS' STRESS

Rivera says it’s also changed an open door policy to an open phone policy: “It's funny because now I get texts constantly from our guys, but you know I've got 90 guys.”

Brooks and Thibault both agreed saying they do many similar things. They’re making sure players get their workouts in with the strength coach while assistant coaches go over ball handling drills.

Thibault said there are also quizzes and trivia, and is stressing how players should approach film sessions.

“We're trying to get our players to be better film watchers and how to learn,” Thibault said. “Not just watch film as a fan, but learn what other people do on the court.”

Brooks is also looking for ways to mix things up.

“We have a few other things we do including a weekly yoga session and the guys love it,” Brooks said.

The Mystics are still waiting to hold the franchise’s first WNBA championship parade - a day where players can put the classroom aside and celebrate. Hard work is what earned them the title, but Thibault believes it’s important to have a little fun as well.

“We've also changed it to some social things too,” Thibault said. “You know, one of our film sessions was just a discussion of ‘The Last Dance’ and what each of the players took from different parts of it and talked about what themes came across.” 1188922 Washington Capitals Either way, it sure seems like the pause to the season came at the right time for Washington.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 07.21.2020 Evgeny Kuznetsov has interesting explanation for Caps' struggles

By J.J. Regan July 20, 2020 6:00 AM

The Capitals were a team trending int he wrong direction when the coronavirus forced the NHL to pause its season, at least that's how most people viewed them in March. Evgeny Kuznetsov, however, has a different perspective.

After dominating the NHL for the first three months of the season, Washington limped its way from December to March. Here's a comparison:

From Oct. 2 to Dec. 22: 26-6-5, 57 points (1st in the NHL), .770 points percentage (1st), 3.54 goals per game (1st), 2.76 goals against per game (8th), 21.8-percent power play (10th), 85.7-percent penalty kill (2nd)

From Dec. 23 to March 12: 15-14-3, 33 points (tied for 22nd), .516 points percentage (21st), 3.28 goals per game (8th), 3.44 goals against per game (29th), 17.0-percent power play (24th), 78.7-percent penalty kill (19th)

From the outside looking in, it would seem the Caps were struggling. Kuznetsov, however, disputes that.

"I don't think we struggling end of year," Kuznetsov said. "We just, we kind of have that gap where we've pretty much made the playoff already and it's not easy to be in the first place for 82 games. Sometimes you're going to go down. I don't think we struggling, we just lose the game a little bit and then some teams was battling for the playoff. Sometimes it's pretty normal when you have to give up a few games like that."

Let's be fair. Clearly, Kuznetsov is not speaking of the last three months of the season, but the more recent play leading up to the pause. He clearly views the last few games before the pause as its own slump brought on by complacency and a red-hot Philadelphia Flyers team that looked poised to overtake Washington in the Metropolitan Division standings.

This certainly has happened to teams, especially in the January and February months before teams hit the home stretch of the season. In that sense, there is some validity to what he was saying.

The problem is that this wasn't just a recent slump, it was a long stretch of the season.

From Dec. 23 to March 12, the Caps played in 33 games. That's more than a third of the season. Also, it's a three-month slump in which the Caps were getting progressively worse.

Here are the stats from Feb. 1 to March 12: 6-8-3, 15 points (tied for 29th), .441 points percentage (27th), 2.88 goals per game (15th), 3.53 goals against per game (31st, dead last), power play 15.6-percent (22nd), 78.3-percent penalty kill (21st).

RELATED: PENDING FREE AGENTS BACKSTROM, HOLTBY IN TWO DIFFERENT PLACES AS HOCKEY RETURNS

Not only are those bad, but they are largely worse than the overall stats from the Dec. 23 to March 12 range showing the team was continuing to decline.

A frustrating aspect of the 2019-20 season for fans was the lack of urgency the team seemed to display even when it struggled from December to March. Kuznetsov's explanation could certainly help explain why that was. After building a healthy cushion in the standings by late December, the Caps took their foot off the gas

Could that be a plausible explanation for a three-month mid-season slump? It sure seems like Kuznetsov thought the team was only playing poorly recently when the break hit as opposed to all the way back in December.

So was the problem a three-month slide in which the team seemingly could not recover from or complacency brought on by their lead in the standings and the team was not able to "flip the switch" when the Flyers began to come on strong? 1188923 Washington Capitals Defenseman Alex Alexeyev, the team’s 2018 first-rounder, also has not practiced yet. Unlike Samsonov, though, Alexeyev is not expected to play a prominent role this postseason.

Five observations from Capitals training camp: Whose stock is on the 4. Kempny healthy, confident rise? No one, it seems, has benefitted from the nearly four-month layoff as much as defenseman Michal Kempny.

By Tarik El-Bashir Jul 20, 2020 The 29-year-old, by his own admission, did not play up to his own standards during the regular season, in part, because he was still working his way back from the significant hamstring injury he suffered in March 2019 and had surgically repaired a month later. ARLINGTON, Va. – The Capitals are now a full week into training camp 2.0 and exactly two weeks from their first game in the Eastern “I had a really tough season,” Kempny said. “It was really hard for me Conference’s round robin. physically and mentally. I am really happy about the work I’ve done this summer. I put together probably a good nine weeks of good training, so I So it’s a perfect time to take stock of what’s looking good and where am pretty happy about how I feel right now.” there are still questions. Reirden said Kempny has resembled the pre-injury version of himself 1. The lines and pairs through a week of camp. Indeed, Kempny’s skating and, specifically, his Saturday’s scrimmage confirmed what had long been speculated: Coach ability to close on opposing forwards is what sets him apart. Todd Reirden’s post-pause lines and D-pairs strongly resemble his pre- “With the type of injury that Michal had, it’s one that takes a full year to pause lines and D-pairs. In fact, it’s virtually the same lineup that rallied really get better from,” Reirden said. “We’re finally over that hump in to earn a point in Buffalo way back on March 9. terms of him being 100 percent. You can see noticeably his skating and So unless something changes or unexpected happens, the Caps figure his power is back to maybe where it was prior to the injury.” to look like this when they face the Lightning on Aug. 3 in the first game When healthy, Kempny is a key part of the Caps’ defense because of of the East round robin: how he complements Norris Trophy-candidate John Carlson. The only question with the above lineup at the moment is the status of 5. Sprong turning heads Ilya Samsonov, who has yet to hit the ice since returning from Russia earlier this month. Daniel Sprong wasn’t in the main group Sunday, but the 23-year-old winger made quite an impression during Saturday’s scrimmage, scoring 2. The depth two goals in a 3-1 victory for his team. His first goal came on a spin-o- Sunday’s practice provided some insight into the team’s depth chart as rama in the slot that surprised Holtby. The other came on a 2-on-1 with things ramp up. For the first time in camp, the blue group consisted of 23 . skaters – the presumed forward lines and D-pairs, Braden Holtby, 13th Sprong, acquired from Anaheim in exchange for Christian Djoos in forward Travis Boyd, seventh defenseman Radko Gudas and prospects February, has not played a game for the Caps yet but has 19 goals in 97 Martin Fehervary and Vitek Vanecek. Fehervary, a defenseman, and NHL games with the Penguins and Ducks. He’s a restricted free agent at Vanecek, a goalie, were the only non-full-time NHLers on the ice. season’s end and the Caps might have a need for a low-cost bottom-six Fehervary skated on a fourth D-pair alongside Gudas, who sat out the winger due to Brendan Leipsic’s departure and Ilya Kovalchuk’s status as final three games before the stoppage as a healthy scratch. an unrestricted free agent.

Boyd, meantime, took a handful of reps as the third line center, an Reirden, for one, has liked what he’s seen. indication that he’ll be Lars Eller’s replacement when Eller leaves the “(Sprong) brings some size, he’s a thicker guy, obviously his release team for a few days early next month to be with his wife, who is around the net, we were able to see some of that in the scrimmage,” expecting the couple’s second child on Aug. 8. Reirden said. “He’s comfortable getting to those spots. He’s not afraid to “I would say at this point that it would potentially be Travis’ spot,” Reirden go to those spots. His release is really good. That’s something that every said. “That’s what we’re taking a look at. Yesterday when we didn’t have coach and even our other players who are seeing him for the first time (T.J.) Oshie, Travis hopped on the right side with Nick (Backstrom) and have noticed.” (Jakub) Vrana. Travis is a guy who can play both positions (center and Reirden added: “I think he’s had a good start to this camp. I’ve liked a lot wing) for us and that’s going to be important here as we finalize the last of things that he’s done. Obviously, the experience is valuable for him – players that we’re going to bring, is their versatility. As you can see, right around 100 NHL games. He’s not overwhelmed by situations; he’s things can turn quickly.” been around big-name players in the past, whether it was in Pittsburgh or Sunday’s second group featured Connor McMichael, Pheonix Copley, in Anaheim. Sometimes guys get a little bit rattled by playing with the Daniel Sprong, Philippe Maillet, Shane Gersich, Beck Malenstyn, Tyler high-end star power that some teams have, but obviously at the other Lewington, Brian Pinho and Garrett Pilon. places he’s been have had that as well. So he’s had a good start to camp. Asked why Vanecek skated with the main group and the more experienced Copley worked with the second group, Reirden said: “We’ve The Athletic LOADED: 07.21.2020 had it the other way for the entire camp so now just wanted to flip it for the next couple days and see where that takes us. Again, just preparing for a situation, and whatever happens here day-to-day we want to make sure we are covering all bases that we can and (we) are prepared if either of those two are put into play. (It also) allows Cops to get some individual work with (goaltending coach) Scott Murray.”

Copley worked one-on-one with Murray prior to the second group’s practice.

3. Samsonov’s situation

Per NHL rules, the team is prohibited from saying why Holtby’s backup isn’t skating. Whatever the reason, we can say this much for certain: The rookie is falling behind, having now missed six on-ice sessions, including a full-contact scrimmage.

“I’m taking it day by day, and we’ll see Ilya’s availability tomorrow,” Reirden said after Sunday’s practice sessions. 1188924 Winnipeg Jets Jets captain Blake Wheeler said heading to hub cities of Edmonton and Toronto and living under strict guidelines in the so-called bubble is going to be tougher on the families being left behind, rather than the players themselves. Winnipeg confident in goalie, power play "I’m not worried about me. I’m going to be around my teammates. I’m going to be in a hotel and playing hockey, really. For me, the hardest part is going to be everything going on back home, with Sam and our kids and Mike McIntyre how that’s going to work out on a day-to-day (basis). That’s going to be the hardest part, weighing those things and being out of touch with those things," said Wheeler. It's not hard to identify the two most obvious keys to Stanley Cup success — good goaltending, and strong special teams. "We’ve had four-plus months of doing that together and now to just up and leave is tough, but it’s all a part of what I do for a living. The bubble The Winnipeg Jets are confident they have first box checked off, thanks is going to be fine. We’re going to take care of each other. In terms of the to a Vezina Trophy favourite in Connor Hellebuyck. On Monday, they put precautions that have gone into protecting the safety of the players, the in some work on the second item with an hour-long that focused heavily guys feel pretty good about it and it should be a good setup for us." on power play and penalty killing work. You’ll have to turn your dial to Sportsnet to watch all Jets playoff games Coach Paul Maurice said it’s part of the ongoing planning for the this summer. qualifying round series against the Calgary Flames as summer training camp continues at Bell MTS Iceplex. The Rogers-owned network announced Monday they will have the rights to the entire 24-team Stanley Cup playoff tournament. TSN, which has "Working your power play in practice is one of the most difficult things to the regional rights to the Jets, will be shut out. do, just on pace. On your power play you want people to shoot pucks, and players are more reluctant to shoot pucks against their own players. Chris Cuthbert (who just came over from TSN) and Louie DeBrusk will The last thing you want to do is rip one off a guy’s ankle in practice," said have all the calls for games involving Canadian teams from Edmonton, Maurice. including Winnipeg’s July 29 exhibition game against Vancouver and the Jets best-of-five qualifying round series against Calgary. "These guys worked at a good power play pace, I was really happy with what they got. I thought they got their puck movement and their touches and Craig Simpson will do the Canadian games out of at a high rate. The penalty killers were aggressive and they forced plays Toronto. to happen." All other games involving non-Canadian teams will also be carried on Blake Wheeler, Mark Scheifele, Kyle Connor, Patrik Laine and Neal Sportsnet, with U.S. broadcasters on the calls. Pionk worked on the top unit, while Nikolaj Ehlers, Jack Roslovic, Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 07.21.2020 Mathieu Perreault, Cody Eakin and Josh Morrissey were on the second group. Andrew Copp also rotated with Eakin in his spot.

"I guess my role is to be really strong on my stick in terms of around the net, there’s going to be a lot of pucks that get to the net, I think, in terms of how our power play works. The more pucks that get to the net, the more havoc we’re getting to create, the more chances we’re going to have," said Copp.

The Jets have all the weapons up front for a potent power play. They were 15th in the NHL during the regular season, with a 20.5 per cent efficiency. Calgary’s penalty kill was eighth-best in the league at 82.1 per cent.

Winnipeg’s shorthanded play was one of its biggest improvements as the season went on, going from near the bottom of the league to one of the best over a lengthy stretch before the league was paused in mid-March. Overall, the Jets were 22nd at 77.6 per cent while the Flames PP was 12th-best at 21.2 per cent

"We started our season with four defencemen that had killed penalties for our last year not here. So you’ve got a whole new group of men, and after Bryan (Little) went down there’s two forwards for us that weren’t here. So we had to kind of re-shape it and mold it. And then we’ve got these new guys taking over and killing penalties, and they weren’t even there as the injuries took over," said Maurice.

"When you look at the long list of combinations of the four man set, it was significantly different personnel that went out in the second half of the year. And we also had three or four months then to improve. Clearly it was a big problem for us early and we struggled with it, but then it became a strength for us in the end."

The trade deadline additions of Eakin and defenceman Dylan DeMelo were significant factors, along with players such as Copp and Adam Lowry returning from injuries.

"First and foremost, Helly is up for the Vezina and he’s a huge part of our PK. Secondly, I think we started to anticipate really well and started to dictate power plays and take away their top option and try to make them do something they’re not used to doing. Usually their second or third option that they’re not as comfortable going with," said Copp.

"I feel really comfortable about where our PK is right now and hopefully we can continue where we left off."

— Mike McIntyre 1188925 Winnipeg Jets One thing is unlikely to change from a typical Stanley Cup pursuit — this is the time of year when depth players step up for teams that ultimately taste success, and Appleton hopes he can be one of those so-called unsung heroes. Appleton most motivated Jet "I think we definitely have the ability to be difference makers. At the end of the season, we were playing well, we were making things happen, and I think we'll continue to do that in the playoffs. Be an energy, a spark, and Mike McIntyre be everything the team needs down the stretch," he said.

"I think that's my role no matter where I am in the lineup. Just play a Look up "motivated" in the dictionary and you might just find a picture of simple, efficient, fast game, and make plays when they're there. Whether Mason Appleton. I'm playing on the 2nd line or the 4th line, I'm going to be the player I am and play to my strengths. I'm going to try to carry that into the playoffs The Winnipeg Jets forward needs no reminding that he has yet to face and be the best version of myself." the Calgary Flames this season. He was supposed to, of course, back at the Heritage Classic in Regina last October. But a freak injury — he Appleton isn't taking anything for granted, something he learned the hard broke his foot while tossing a football around with teammates prior to way earlier this year. He has to play well to stay in the lineup, especially hitting the outdoor ice at Mosaic Stadium — took him out of what would with other depth players such as Jansen Harkins, Gabriel Bourque, have been the biggest game of his young career. Logan Shaw, Mark Letestu, David Gustafsson and C.J. Suess all on Winnipeg's expanded playoff roster and battling to get in the lineup. The bone has long since healed, but the subject remains a touchy one. Appleton wasn't interested in talking about it during a post-practice And that's where a little extra motivation, a little more fuel to the fire, interview Monday. could go a long way.

"The second I came back from the injury, I put it behind me. It was six, Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 07.21.2020 seven weeks and obviously it takes a while to come back from something like that, I broke a bone. It’s definitely in the rear view mirror as it’s six, eight months in the past," said Appleton.

Fair enough. You don't have to be an expert in human behaviour to see the fire that's burning within, one the 24-year-old Wisconsin product will get a chance to stoke when the Jets take on the Flames in a best-of-five qualifying series starting Aug. 1 in the hub city of Edmonton.

Appleton is expected to be in the Game 1 lineup, skating on the fourth line with Nick Shore and Mathieu Perreault. The trio were playing some fine hockey on a Jets team that had won a season-high four straight games just before the COVID-19 pause in mid-March.

"I think personally and as a team, we’ve got better as the season went on. Our last 20-game stretch I think we were playing some of our best hockey," said Appleton, who had five goals and three assists in in 46 games this year.

This was supposed to be a breakthrough season for Appleton. The 2017- 18 AHL rookie of the year made his NHL debut in 2018-19, opening eyes with three goals and seven assists in 36 games. He earned a full-time spot out of camp last fall, but some growing pains followed by injury pains quickly made for a miserable few months.

After returning to the lineup just before Christmas, Appleton picked up his play. He appeared to find another gear by early February, when he had the bulk of his offensive production and was brimming with confidence.

"That injury, because of the significant amount of time that he lost, set him back but he made up for it. He came out of that injury strong and well-conditioned. That’s an advantage that Mason has, he’s a very fit man. His fitness numbers are very, very good, so he came out of it fit. I thought he came out of it looking better than he almost went into the injury," said Maurice.

Then it all came to a halt.

"We kind of had that discussion during the pause and during the break, that we wanted him to make sure that when this thing came back to play, it wasn’t a standard training camp for him. Where he kind of came back with the style of hockey that he had gone out on," said Maurice.

"Again, we’re practicing here, I don’t have a lot of game situations to rely on, but it looks like he does. He came back right off the pause. He’s fit, he’s really quick in practice. He’s driving, so he looks like he...sometimes a major injury in a guy’s career can help him value just being on the ice. He looks excited out there, he looks good, he looks confident, so maybe it was good for him."

Appleton is looking forward to competing in his first NHL playoff game, even if he has no idea what this unique experience is going to be like.

"We're all rookies in that sense and it's going to be a first for everyone. It's going to be different, there's going to be a little adjustment period, but we're all doing this for the first time so it's going to be something new," he said. "Everybody’s excited about getting back to playing. We’re gonna see what this bubble is all about and go to win hockey games there." 1188926 Winnipeg Jets It shouldn’t. It wouldn’t. And it’s especially dumb when you consider nearly everyone who has missed a skate since camps opened on July 13 had a reason other than COVID-19, even if nobody is allowed to say that.

Secrecy surrounding several absent NHLers leading to speculation We know this because according to the NHL’s weekly data, released Monday, just two unidentified players (out of more than 800) tested positive in the first week of Phase 3. And yet, there’s been at least a couple dozen players deemed "unfit to practice," including nine members Danielle Da Silva of the Penguins right out of the gate, and a half-dozen Bruins at last count.

Anthony Bitetto might have COVID-19. Or maybe he doesn’t. I can’t tell By essentially painting everyone with the same, extremely vague brush, you either way, because the NHL and the union representing players most people are assuming the worst. That can’t be what the players apparently want it that way. really wanted when they sat down to hammer out the details of this agreement, is it? And it’s not just Bitetto, the Winnipeg Jets depth defenceman, who is surrounded by speculation these days. The same goes for Pittsburgh All of this overshadows what should be a good news story, as these Penguins superstar Sidney Crosby, Boston Bruins leading scorer David latest numbers are encouraging for the prospect of not only starting the Pastrnak, Chicago Blackhawks starting goalie Corey Crawford, Colorado playoffs as scheduled, but finishing them later this fall. Avalanche rookie sensation Cale Makar and a handful of other skaters. A major outbreak in training camp could have derailed this whole All of them, it turns out, are currently "unfit to practice," which is the process, especially with the 24 teams still in the hunt for the Stanley Cup newest buzz phrase created by a hockey league that loves taking your holding their workouts in their home markets. Many of these are in virus money — but feels you are owed little when it comes to transparency. hot spots in Florida, Texas, Arizona and Nevada.

Coaches like Paul Maurice, Mike Sullivan, Bruce Cassidy, Jeremy Although players are being encouraged to limit their activities outside the Colliton and Jared Bednar have been forced to do a silly daily dance with rink, they’re not forbidden from going into the community. Here in us nosy sports snoops who wonder why this or that player wasn’t on the Winnipeg, for example, several Jets have hit the golf course following ice. Just when we thought upper-body and lower-body descriptors were their morning skates. as vague as it could get, the bar gets lowered even more by equipping To have only two positives, out of 2,618 tests (players are being tested paranoid bench bosses with an all-encompassing blanket to use on every every second day) is pretty much a best-case scenario — especially groin strain and muscle tweak. since 43 players tested positive during Phase 2, which involved voluntary I’d suggest it’s bringing about some unexpected consequences with it. workouts at team facilities.

In Bitetto’s case, we’re now nine days into Winnipeg’s summer camp and A big number of Monday might have spelled disaster. he’s yet to make an appearance at Bell MTS Iceplex. There was similar The danger for everyone involved would to become complacent and let mystery last week when Jets backup goalie Laurent Brossoit and their guards down, as we’re starting to see in various cities including Manitoba Moose call-ups Nelson Nogier and Logan Stanley were MIA for Winnipeg. Players are set to travel on Sunday to hub cities of Edmonton the first few skates. and Toronto, then enter the much-more rigid, secure bubble environment Odds are they are/were dealing with minor aches and pains, or maybe where they will remain until their season ends. even quarantine related hold-ups that could all be easily explained, rather Provided they can get there safely and follow the rules, there’s no reason than a global pandemic that has already killed more than 8,000 in to think they can’t keep the virus mostly at bay. Canada and 143,000 in the United States. We’ll likely never know. This week is key, since anyone who tests positive in the coming days There are a few notable exceptions. would have to be left behind for their club. Under the agreed upon league Las Vegas coach Peter DeBoer told scribes there that forward Max protocols, all players must have three negatives over a seven-day period Pacioretty wasn’t able to practice Monday, then quickly followed up by prior to going to the hub. indicating it wasn’t due to a positive test. That wasn’t so hard, was it? I’m Of course, if that were to happen, get ready to start hearing about a sure Pacioretty appreciated the clarity. However, I suspect DeBoer has player who is "unfit to travel" eventually become one who is "unfit to already received a stern phone call from the league, and that’s the first play." and last time you’ll hear a coach be so candid going forward. All thanks to a policy that is proving to be anything but sound. Vegas Golden Knights left wing Max Pacioretty was absent from team practice Monday. Head coach Pete DeBoer made sure to make it clear Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 07.21.2020 the absence was not due to a positive test for the coronavirus.

Vegas Golden Knights left wing Max Pacioretty was absent from team practice Monday. Head coach Pete DeBoer made sure to make it clear the absence was not due to a positive test for the coronavirus.

The only permissible way around this rule is if players willingly disclose their health status themselves, as Ottawa’s Jayce Hawryluk (to Free Press colleague Jason Bell in April), Toronto’s Auston Matthews (following a news report citing sources) and Edmonton’s Caleb Jones have all done.

Good on them. Just don’t hold your breath waiting for the next player to follow suit.

Newsflash: Nobody thinks any less of Hawryluk, Matthews or Jones as a result. I suspect they have plenty of sympathy for what they went through, especially since 3.8 million Americans and 111,000 Canadians have already got COVID-19. In that sense, much of society can relate to these guys.

And yet, the NHL would have you think a positive test is so shameful that it ought to be shrouded in secrecy, and that releasing such information would turn these players into pariahs. 1188927 Winnipeg Jets “Today was our first day, so they executed the basics of their game plan and they looked right.”

One of the reasons Copp is part of the second unit is his ability to play JETS SNAPSHOTS: Jets focus on power play and penalty killing, two defence once the power play ends. aspects of their game that improved dramatically during season With dangerous offensive players like Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan often on the ice at the end of Calgary penalty kills, the Jets have to be mindful of their ability to create in transition. Ted Wyman “I think that’s gonna be kind of what goes into some of the decision Published:July 20, 2020 making on (Maurice’s) part about who goes on the power play,” Copp said. Updated:July 20, 2020 5:51 PM CDT “We haven’t talked about matchups at all, but it will be interesting to see

how all that plays out. They’ve got good players up and down their It’s a fact that you don’t need a highly efficient power play to win a lineup, so it’s tough to key on any one line, but obviously that Monahan- Stanley Cup. Gaudreau line, with (Elias) Lindholm, is special. For right now, we’re not going to worry too much about hypothetical matchups. For right now I’m The Boston Bruins made that perfectly clear in 2011 when they won the just trying to prove my worth on the power play and trying to execute and Cup despite having the third-worst power play among the 16 NHL playoff trying to get this unit going.” teams. MUCH BETTER ON PK They scored at a rate of just 11.4% over 25 playoff games and the only two teams below them were knocked out in the first round. Copp also plays a big role on the penalty-killing unit, which was the worst in the league for the first few months of the season but really turned “It’s important to know that you don’t need to have an outstanding power things around once the calendar flipped to 2020. play to have success in the playoffs,” Winnipeg Jets captain Blake Wheeler said, prefacing his comments on special teams after a summer A big part of the improvement was the addition of defenceman Dylan training camp session at the IcePlex on Monday. DeMelo at the trade deadline. Another huge part was the play of Vezina- finalist Connor Hellebuyck, in goal. “But it can certainly help you win some hockey games. You win that battle in a series, it’s definitely going to give you an edge.” Copp explained what else was working well.

The Jets worked on their special teams Monday for the first time since “We started to anticipate really well and we started to dictate power opening training camp on July 13. plays,” he said. “You know, take away their top option and try to make them do something they’re not used to doing … their second or third They ran two power-play units and two penalty-killing groups for much of option, which they’re not as comfortable with. the practice as they continued to prepare for a best-of-five qualifying round series against the Calgary Flames, which starts on Aug. 1 in “We’re strong on draws too. That’s a big part of it, getting that 200-foot Edmonton. clear. We’re good in the neutral zone, in terms of not letting them break in too much. We’re dictating the pace, anticipating where guys are gonna The Jets’ power play scored 20.5% of the time (15th in the NHL) during go and the D did a great job of blocking shots and then Helly does a the regular season, while their penalty kill came in at 77.6% (22nd great job of standing on his head when everything else breaks down.” overall). “I’m really comfortable with where our PK is right now and hopefully we Both special teams improved considerably as the season went on. The can pick up where we left off.” Jets were among the most efficient teams in terms of special teams in the last couple months of the season. Maurice has another theory as to why the Jets penalty-killing improved so much. Those teams could play an important role in a short series against the Flames, who are loaded with dangerous offensive players and have “Personnel,” he said. “That’s just the answer. We started our season with excellent power-play and penalty-killing units. Calgary was 12th on the four defencemen that had killed penalties for us not here. So you’ve got a power play at 21.2% and eighth in penalty killing at 82.1%. whole new group of men, and after Bryan (Little) went down, there’s two forwards (also Brandon Tanev) for us that weren’t here. So we had to While Wheeler is correct in saying a power play doesn’t need to be kind of re-shape it and mould it. incredible in order to win several rounds of playoffs, it sure can come in handy in a best-of-five that has been described as more of a sprint, than “When you look at the long list of combinations of two D and two a grind, by Jets head coach Paul Maurice. forwards, and the long list of combinations of the four-man set, it was significantly different personnel that went out in the second half of the “I think the power play is a piece of it,” Wheeler said. “When it’s rolling, year. We got a little healthier, and then you add DeMelo, you add Eakin. it’s obviously a huge source of confidence. You can’t just gauge your We did not have a lot of depth in the penalty-killing role. So we added power play based on how many goals you score. depth and then we got healthy.”

“The more scoring chances we generate on the power play, the more There was also the benefit of time, after getting off to such a poor start. time they’re gonna spend in their zone and it’s gonna tire their goalie out. That’s really our job, to create momentum for our team. We think that “We also had three or four months to improve,” Maurice said. “Clearly it with the guys we have out there, there’s enough finish around the net was a big problem for us early and we struggled with it, but then it that we’re gonna bury enough of those chances to have a successful became a strength for us in the end.” power play.” ONLY TWO POSITIVE TESTS On Monday, the Jets had a top power-play unit of Mark Scheifele, Kyle The NHL released the results of COVID-19 testing over the first five days Connor and Wheeler upfront, with Patrik Laine and Neal Pionk on the of training camp and the news was positive. points. The second unit included centres Cody Eakin and Andrew Copp switching off between Nikolaj Ehlers and Jack Roslovic, with Mathieu There were two positive cases out of 2,618 tests administered to more Perreault and Josh Morrissey on the back end. than 800 players. The league announced both players are self-isolating and following CDC and Health Canada protocols. The NHL will not Maurice said Sunday to expect plenty of special teams work this week. identify the players or their clubs. “Working your power play in practice is one of the most difficult things to The Jets were still without defenceman Anthony Bitetto, Monday. He has do, just on pace,” he said. “On your power play you want people to shoot missed seven days of training camp for undisclosed reasons. pucks, and players are more reluctant to shoot pucks against their own players. The last thing you want to do is rip one off a guy’s ankle is USED TO ADVERSITY practice. So it changes the dynamic. In a season full of adversity, Jets winger Mason Appleton played a part in one of the weirder storylines.

He broke a bone in his foot while playing football prior to a practice for the Heritage Classic outdoor game in Regina in October.

He was out of the lineup for two months.

However, he’s put that completely in the rearview mirror and he’s actually seeing a positive in the fact that the Jets went through so much adversity during the season.

Now they’re heading into the playoffs after a four-month pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic and they’re rested and ready.

“We’ve been a really resilient group,” Appleton said. “If you look at our defensive corps, as a unit, there’s not a ton of games where we’ve been really healthy. Now’s the time that we’re as healthy as we’ve ever been. That’s a silver lining.

“We’re all feeling really good and we’re excited to come together as a group in the bubble.”

Among the other weird things that happened in the 2019-20 season, Jets prospects Kristian Vesalainen and Sami Niku were injured in a car accident during training camp, Niku missed time later in the season after getting hurt playing soccer in a hallway before a game, Bryan Little was hit in the ear with a slapshot and missed the rest of the season and Dustin Byfulien essentially retired just as the games were about to begin.

“It’s not even so much the injuries, it’s how they happened,” Maurice said. “Playing soccer, playing football, driving a car.

“For sure, there were enough players in the room going through an injury that you couldn’t kind of walk-in as the one injured guy and feel sorry for yourself, you just got in line with the six others at the rehab table.”

STRONG AT THE END

Appleton finished the season with five goals and eight points, while playing mostly on the fourth line. He said he noticed gradual improvement in his own game, and the team’s, as the season went on.

“Our last 20-game stretch I think we were playing some of our best hockey,” he said. “Our penalty kill was great, our power play was scoring goals and we were on a winning streak when the season ended.”

Appleton has been skating on the fourth line during training camp, playing right wing alongside centre Nick Shore and left-winger Mathieu Perreault.

It’s a line that has some scoring ability mixed in with speed and tenacity.

“I think we definitely have the ability to be difference makers,” Appleton said. “At the end of the season, we were playing well, we were making things happen, and I think we’ll continue to do that in the playoffs. Be an energy, a spark, and be everything the team needs down the stretch.”

Winnipeg Sun LOADED 07.21.2020 1188928 Vancouver Canucks As for the hit, Rome deserved a major on the play and, maybe, a one- game suspension. But the four-game sentence handed down by the NHL’s Mike Murphy remains unprecedented and inexplicable. Murphy — who made the decision because Colin Campbell, then the NHL’s czar of Ed Willes: The raw emotion of the 2011 Stanley Cup Final still lingers discipline, recused himself from the series; seemed his son Gregory played for the Bruins — explained the sentence thusly.

“I get a gut feel for the play.” ED WILLES Oh. Published:July 20, 2020 However you view the incident, its impact on the series was immediate. Updated:July 20, 2020 3:31 PM PDT The Bruins suddenly had a cause and a martyr. Never mind that Horton would appear in the Bruins’ locker room after Game 4 and could be seen walking with his family in Boston before Game 6. The Bruins cranked up Opinion: The wonder isn’t that the Vancouver Canucks lost in Game 7 in the physicality in their game and eventually wore the Canucks down to a 2011, it’s that they took the Boston Bruins to Game 7 when they scored nub. just eight goals in those seven games. For what it’s worth, I never believed the standard of officiating changed a Sportsnet, in its ongoing attempt to provide programming in a sports-less great deal in that series. The Canucks’ biggest problem was their league- universe, has been running a series of documentaries produced by the leading power play, which was by far their toughest player, dried up like a NHL on recent Stanley Cup champions. prune. Daniel and Henrik Sedin were non-factors. Point man Christian Ehrhoff, who had a big regular season, disappeared. Kesler was playing Unless you’re a fan of, say, the 2014 Kings or the 2016 Penguins, they on one leg after he almost single-handedly beat Nashville in the second don’t really register. But Monday morning, as most Vancouver Canucks round. fans were on their day’s first coffee, Sportsnet aired the tribute to the 2011 Boston Bruins. That was the Canucks’ problem. Not the zebras.

That one registered. Vancouver Canucks Alexander Edler, Christian Ehrhoff, and goalie Roberto Luongo are dejected as Boston Bruins Patrice Bergeron Almost a decade after the fact, the sights and sounds of the 2011 Stanley celebrate his goal during the second period of game 7 of the Stanley Cup Cup Final still burn in the collective memory of this province, a Final in Rogers Arena in Vancouver on Wednesday, June 15, 2011. Mark kaleidoscope of Images which have taken up permanent residence in our van Manen / PNG sporting consciousness. Some remain a delight. But the more lasting impression is supplied by that series, a seven-part epic which had this By the time they got to Game 7, in fact, they were a spent force. They market on a knife’s edge until the Bruins struck the mortal wound in started the series with a defence of Dan Hamhuis, Kevin Bieksa, Ehrhoff, Games 6 and 7. Sami Salo, Alex Edler and Rome. They finished with Bieksa, Edler, Salo, Ehrhoff, Andrew Alberts and a 21-year-old Chris Tanev. Mason Raymond Along the way the series supplied all the markings of great drama: was also knocked out of the series on a questionable hit by the Bruins’ heroes and villains, moments of courage and cowardice, plot twists and, Johnny Boychuk, which meant Jeff Tambellini played almost 14 minutes yes, even some comedy. in Game 7 and Victor Oreskovich drew into the lineup. At least we can laugh now. Sort of. Under those circumstances, the Canucks’ only hope was for Roberto How you viewed these events and personalities, of course, were shaped Luongo to steal one of the two final games. Instead, the best goalie in by your allegiance, and if you believe history is told by winners, you can franchise history struggled in both Games 6 and 7. guess how the Bruins are depicted in this piece. But out here in the The final ended with a whimper for the Canucks on home ice. In the rainforest, we see things through a different lens and, after all these documentary, there’s a shot of Bruins captain Zdeno Chara holding the years, the events of those 15 days in June still pack a punch. Stanley Cup alone at centre ice. Behind him are a sea of Canucks fans, Where to begin? most wearing the team’s jersey and all drained of emotion while outside the city rioted. Well, if you were to be coldly analytical about the 2011 Stanley Cup Final, the final outcome isn’t surprising. The Bruins’ best players Good times all around. outperformed the Canucks’ best players by a wide margin. Boston had “It’s the greatest day of your life,” the Bruins’ Shawn Thornton said of the better goalie and special teams, particularly a penalty kill which shut winning the Cup. down the Canucks’ vaunted power play. Funny, we remember it differently here. Throw in some key injuries to the Canucks and the wonder isn’t that they lost in Game 7, it’s that they took the Bruins to Game 7 when they scored Vancouver Province: LOADED: 07.21.2020 just eight goals in those seven games.

But this series also resists the quick and easy synopsis. Its beauty lies in the jarring shifts in momentum, its defining moments and, above all, the raw emotion it brought out in the two cities.

The documentary, as you might have guessed, didn’t capture that, but that’s what endures for this writer. Game 1 was a relatively uneventful affair until Alex Burrows bit the finger of Patrice Bergeron and, from that moment, the Canucks were the heels of this piece and the Bruins were the good guys.

That remains a source of confusion. Yes, Burrows and Ryan Kesler were supreme agitators at the time and, yes, some of the media coverage in this city was shrill and irrational. But the Canucks couldn’t even win over the rest of Canada, and when Aaron Rome stepped up late on Nathan Horton to deliver the hit that changed the series, that narrative was cemented.

The final, to that point, had been played on the Canucks’ terms, essentially a speed-and-skill contest at which they excelled. But the series became something else after Rome’s hit, something more fierce and primitive, and the Canucks were never going to beat the Bruins at that game, especially with a dysfunctional power play. 1188929 Vancouver Canucks He had 36 points (6-30) and played all 82 games in 2017-18, and then added seven playoff points (4-3), as the Jets advanced to the conference final before being eliminated by the Vegas Golden Knights. The next season, the 99-point Jets fell in the first round to eventual Stanley Cup Ben Kuzma: Myers big on sound body, mind for Canucks' postseason champion St. Louis Blues. push Myers had 31 points (9-22) and averaged 20:21 of ice time in 2018-19. And when Josh Morrissey and Dustin Byfuglien were injured, Myers logged more minutes against better players. His Corsi-For percentage for BEN KUZMA puck control at even strength took a hit (48.4) as the Jets surrendered Published:July 20, 2020 more slot shots. Lessons learned.

Updated:July 20, 2020 2:44 PM PDT When Myers came to Vancouver, he embraced video as a teaching tool and brought it to practice the next day. It’s how gaps in his play narrowed and his focus became better.

'For all of us new guys, you noticed an upward trend of the overall team “A lot of it comes with systems play,” Myers said of his 21 points (6-15) in game and that came from being more familiar with each other. A lot of it 68 games this season and being second in hits, and third in blocked is on the mental side and playing with a lot of confidence. That’s when shots among club defenders in 21:30 of ice time. “Each guy grows within you’re at the top of your game and that’s what I try to focus on.' — the team because there’s a certain way you have to play in the system. Canucks defenceman Tyler Myers “For all of us new guys, you noticed an upward trend of the overall team With a towering presence and gigantic wingspan, Tyler Myers looks like game and that came from being more familiar with each other. A lot of it an NBA defender. is on the mental side and playing with a lot of confidence. And that’s when you’re at the top of your game and that’s what I try to focus on.” You can picture him under the hoop, boxing out with arms up and elbows out. Not quite the physical and violent Bill Laimbeer of the legendary bad- Adjusting to the worldwide unknown is the bigger challenge. boy Detroit Pistons, but you get the idea. Between constraints of the novel coronavirus pandemic, an upcoming Adapting a 6-foot-8 frame to the rigours of the NHL has been an ongoing bubble life in the Edmonton hub, or intense games with no fans, there’s challenge for the Vancouver Canucks defenceman. He won the Calder nothing normal about the new norm. Myers is more accustomed to those Trophy with the Buffalo Sabres in the 2009-10 season and continues to wild White Out throngs in postseason Winnipeg. win accolades for meticulously working at his craft. But it comes at a price. “That will be the biggest difference, for sure,” he said. “Part of what makes playoff hockey so exciting is the hostile atmosphere the fans In today’s NHL where speed and skill often trump size and bite, keeping create. And it makes this time of year — and this weird time of year — mind and body in harmony is hard for big blue-liners. Lateral movement, the most fun. It’s definitely going to be different. quick pivots and maintaining stride are of paramount importance. And it’s why training camp can be taxing on the core and especially the groin “The momentum swings won’t be as drastic. We’re doing what we can to after a fourth-month hiatus from rigorous skating. get ready, but I’d be lying if I didn’t think it’s going to be different. But we’ll be ready.” NEXT GAME Getting ready includes continual COVID-19 awareness. Aside from Exhibition testing and safe distancing, family concerns are heightened. A virus outbreak in Kelowna last week with 27 confirmed cases from restaurant Wednesday, July 29 and resort exposures had Myers on full alert of what was affecting his off- Vancouver Canucks vs. Winnipeg Jets season home.

7:30 p.m., Rogers Place, Radio: Sportsnet 650 AM “As soon as I heard about it — my wife and son stayed back in Kelowna — I got on the phone to make sure they knew about it and were staying Myers and Brandon Sutter didn’t participate in the Sunday scrimmage at home more than they were before the outbreak,” recalled Myers. “It’s the Rogers Arena, and it wasn’t alarming that a hectic camp pace and body time we’re living in now. We’re all getting used to it and more aware of strain would probably sideline some players. what we have to do to stay safe.

“We have a couple guys and we’ll see how they feel,” Canucks coach “When that happened in Kelowna, we started talking about it in the room Travis Green said prior to the scrimmage. and with the family.”

How Green feels about Myers isn’t up for debate. Vancouver Province: LOADED: 07.21.2020 He sees a player in the crosshairs of scrutiny for a sizable free-agent contract — five years at US$30 million with a modified no-trade clause kicking in next season — and continuing to grow his game at age 30. No been there, done that. No Western Conference final participant with the Winnipeg Jets who’s set in his ways and doesn’t take direction.

And whether he’s aligned with Alex Edler in a top paring for the qualifying series with the Minnesota Wild, or slides down to pair with Troy Stecher, it’s the diligence that resonates with Green.

“He wants to get better and that’s a good characteristic to have as you get older, to understand that there are still areas where you need to improve,” said Green. “The game is constantly changing — especially in how you defend. He wants to be a student of the game and he looks for video clips and isn’t afraid to take advice or criticism on certain things — if it’s going to make him better.

“He’s a great pro and a good example for all of our younger guys. He’s always doing the right things to make sure his body is ready and he takes extra time to warm up. And even afterwards when you see him in the gym, he’s very businesslike when it comes to making sure he’s on top of his game and body.”

That comes with experience, both good and bad. 1188930 Vancouver Canucks J.T. Miller has stood out in just about every drill and scrimmage for all of the same reasons that he stood out in his first season in Vancouver: He’s just an incredibly smart and well-rounded professional with high-end skills. Dressed, scratched or on the bubble: Projecting the Canucks’ playoff lineup Miller has fundamentally reshaped how this team carries itself. He’s brought a swagger and a particular brand of unvarnished leadership to a young team.

By Thomas Drance Jul 20, 2020 The Miller trade has worked as an accelerant, it’s a deal that’s pushed the club closer to being truly formidable. The price, however, is yet to

come due and remains up in the air pending the outcome of Vancouver’s The Vancouver Canucks have had an eventful week. qualifying round series.

The club returned to practice last Monday at Rogers Arena for “Phase 3 If the Canucks can hurdle the Wild and surrender a mid-first-round pick to training sessions” in preparation for the qualifying round. The club’s head New Jersey as a result, the club will lock in a homerun trade win. coach, Travis Green, is trying something a bit different and potentially Quinn Hughes innovative, holding nighttime scrimmages to better simulate the game- day experience. Captain Bo Horvat yelled at Jake Virtanen in a From the very first day of Canucks Phase 3 training camp, Quinn Hughes scrimmage, while Jacob Markstrom scraped to find the form that has was already doing what Hughes does best, demolishing defensive made him the club’s MVP two years running. structure with his feet and finding teammates in the slot with crisp, hard tape-to-tape passes. Of course, it’s Markstrom, so he found that form and then some on Sunday. Hughes has looked like he’s on a mission at Canucks camp. Going into a qualifying round series in which it’s obvious that Minnesota has the better Meanwhile, top defensive prospect Jack Rathbone signed and Nikita blue line than Vancouver overall, it should still be noted that Hughes is Tryamkin didn’t — opting instead to stay in Russia for another season. probably the single best defenceman in the series. There was also a big Brock Boeser controversy driven by reporting from TSN 1040’s Matt Sekeres. Chris Tanev

The overly dramatic fireworks – the constant teeth-gnashing and Sturm Chris Tanev’s defensive brilliance has really shone through at camp. No und Drang – are a specialty of the Vancouver market, but let’s take a one can skate through him or around him. I’m not even sure I’ve seen the deep breath and take a somber look past the non-stop maelstrom. To do attacking side score on Tanev and the goaltender behind him on 2-on-1 so is to see a well-prepared team that’s getting drilled pretty hard in high drills in the first week of camp. paced training camp sessions and impressively competitive scrimmages. It’s to see a group of players making extraordinary personal sacrifices to Tanev just goes about his business quietly snuffing out all semblance of chase the club’s first playoff berth in five years. an offensive attack. He’s been excellent in drills and scrimmages. Just ho-hum, workmanlike stuff from Vancouver’s best defensive defender. As Phase 3 training camp enters its second week, let’s handicap what we’ve learned so far on a player-by-player basis and project the club’s Bo Horvat lineup for Game 1 of their qualifying round series against the Minnesota The Canucks’ captain, first-choice matchup centre and leading power- Wild. play goal scorer, Horvat’s performance will be a key factor in determining Dressed whether Vancouver can get past Minnesota.

Of the 34 players attending the Canucks’ Phase 3 training camp, only 20 Horvat has skated with Boeser and Tanner Pearson on his wings at players will actually dress in the club’s qualifying round opener against camp and we’ve basically never seen Horvat get an extended look with Minnesota on August 2nd. We think we already have a pretty good linemates of that quality. The NHL’s return to play offers a big opportunity handle on the identity of 18 of those 20 players: for the Canucks captain.

Elias Pettersson The 25-year-old is a new dad, a new captain and has a chance to lead his team to their first playoff berth since his rookie season. Without Electric, preternaturally competitive and just straight-up fun to watch play, question, Horvat has carried himself like a man with an appropriate Elias Pettersson is the straw that stirs the Canucks’ drink. sense of the stakes.

Pettersson has looked the part at training camp. If Pettersson hasn’t He’s certainly seemed driven and focused at camp and has been an been the Canucks’ best player over a week of high-paced drills (that are assertive, vocal presence on and off the ice throughout. really stealth bag skates) and scrimmages, then it’s a very short list of players you’d consider putting ahead of him. Tyler Toffoli

The Canucks are going to need Pettersson to carry the load offensively, The Canucks’ big trade deadline acquisition, Tyler Toffoli was acquired at and battle through a Wild team preparing to deploy under-rated defensive significant cost and the return during his 10-game Canucks tenure is centreman Joel Eriksson Ek as Pettersson’s agitating, physical shadow auspicious, to say the least. throughout the qualifying round series. Toffoli has performed well at camp, generating in bunches and scoring Also, if any Canucks player is going to take full advantage of the relaxed the game-winner in the first camp scrimmage this past Tuesday. His dress code protocols that come with the NHL’s return to play, it’s volume shooting game is just such a perfect complement for how Miller Pettersson. and Pettersson cycle the puck together.

Brock Boeser Vancouver is really high on what Toffoli has brought to the group, and would very much prefer to re-sign him if they can. Meanwhile, Toffoli Brock Boeser has stood out for all the right reasons since camp opened. adds a layer of veteran polish and overall lethality to Vancouver’s top-six group, which should be one of their biggest advantages going into the Boeser has been excellent throughout the first week of camp. He was Minnesota series. especially assertive, dynamic and creative in Vancouver’s two evening scrimmages. He’s looked fit, fast and dialed in. Tanner Pearson

While Boeser’s trademark, efficient finishing game abandoned him during Tanner Pearson hasn’t had a particularly noticeable camp, but he’s been the 2019-20 season, his growth as a playmaker and as a two-way player solid, even managing to pot a few goals during the scrimmages – was significant. If Boeser continues to perform the way he has at camp including a goal that was preposterously taken away – and he’s won his so far and can handle the increased defensive responsibilities that come fair share of puck battles in the intrasquad games. with playing on Horvat’s wing, he could have a massive impact on the qualifying round series against his hometown Wild. Solid is the key descriptor for Pearson, as always. He is a bonafide NHL middle-six forward and remains firmly ensconced on Horvat’s left side for J.T. Miller a reason. Tyler Myers Troy Stecher has been solid during camp. He took a turn on Edler’s right side at practice on Saturday and skated there during Sunday’s Tyler Myers’ first season in Vancouver went pretty well overall, though scrimmage, and while I’d expect him to begin the qualifying round on the his penchant for the loud mistake – an affinity he shares with most third pair with Fantenberg, it’ll be interesting to see whether the Canucks second-pair calibre defenders forced into leading their team in even- choose to balance things out a bit more — particularly against a Wild strength ice time – stood out for some Canucks fans. team with a fair bit of depth.

For the first four days of camp, Myers skated with Alex Edler on a pair Oscar Fantenberg that the Canucks used heavily in October and which performed exceptionally well in the opening six weeks of the season. At practice on Throughout his first Canucks season, Fantenberg cemented himself as Saturday, however, Myers was back with Oscar Fantenberg on a pair the third choice left-side defender of Vancouver’s coaches. At camp so that often struggled enormously. far, he’s taken line rushes with the ostensible third pair ahead of Jordie Benn on each occasion. We’ll see how the Canucks opt to use Myers when the chips are down. It’s probably one of the more fascinating deployment decisions facing the Barring injury, he’ll be in the lineup for Game 1 of Vancouver’s qualifying Canucks coaching staff. round series.

It’s worth noting also that Myers was absent from Vancouver’s Jacob Markstrom scrimmage on Sunday, the reason for which hadn’t been confirmed earlier in the day. Jacob Markstrom’s first week of Phase 3 training camp didn’t go the way he’d have wanted, although he put in a significant bounce-back Alex Edler performance with a shutout in Sunday’s scrimmage.

Over the years, Alex Edler has quietly reinvented his game. Markstrom is the guy that Green and the Canucks coaching staff are going to stick with through thick and thin. There’s no hint of goaltending Unnoticed, perhaps, because the market was obsessed with the “will he controversy here, just a clear hierarchy: Markstrom is the starter, and a waive” question, Edler has quietly evolved. He’s gone from being a tough week at camp does nothing to change that. mistake-prone puck-moving defender who would occasionally wreck an opponent with a big hit, to a slower, more deliberate defensive defender When Green refers to Markstrom as his “rock,” he means it. The who consistently seems to be making life miserable for opponents at the Canucks will go as far as Markstrom can take them, and will give him all net front. the time he needs to shake off any rust accumulated during the hiatus.

Edler has played well but has also looked like a veteran pacing himself at Thatcher Demko camp so far, and fair enough. For a player whose effectiveness seemed to wear down as the season progressed, pacing oneself seems like good While there’s really not an active competition for who will start Game 1 of practice. the qualifying round, the Canucks will face some tough decisions in net in the months to come. Jay Beagle Demko has been nothing short of spectacular at training camp so far. Jay Beagle looks healthy at camp after battling through a variety of core He’s looked polished, efficient and comfortable. Through the first week of injuries during the season. His penalty killing prowess is essential for the camp, he’s outperformed Markstrom. club, which is why he’ll be in the lineup for Game 1 of Vancouver’s qualifying round series. Now, that won’t matter in terms of dictating the Game 1 starter for the qualifying round. Demko will wear a ball cap in that series, barring injury Tyler Motte or a last-ditch ploy to alter momentum.

Like Beagle, Motte won’t come out of the lineup because he’s too Going forward though, one does wonder if Demko’s sterling performance important to Vancouver’s efforts on the penalty kill. His speed is also in camp, especially if he keeps it up, could influence some of the major essential for a Canucks bottom-six forward group that really doesn’t have decisions facing the Canucks front office in goal this offseason. enough of it. Scratched It’s really the penalty kill that matters most for Motte though. It’s actually pretty incredible how few high danger chances opponents generated 5- There are 11 players at Canucks training camp that we don’t think will be on-4 when Motte was on the ice this season: in the lineup for Game 1 against the Wild. Some of these players may yet see minutes for the Canucks in the qualifying round or in the playoffs, but Adam Gaudette it will be as a result of injury or other extenuating circumstances. And of course, the club will cut three players before relocating to Edmonton for Adam Gaudette has come into this training camp as he came into the fall Phase 4. Those players will come from this group. training camp. He’s left no doubt about whether or not he should be in the lineup. Jordie Benn

The 23-year-old centre took a big step as a two-way player this season, Jordie Benn has left the club to be with his partner while she gives birth although the defensive side of the game remains a work in progress. to the couple’s first child. It’s a joyous time, complicated of course by the Offensively, his playmaking and the way his shot plays off on his off wing pandemic and the timing of return to play. make him a dangerous depth piece. He’ll centre Vancouver’s ostensible third line in the qualifying round, although depending on the situation, he Benn will be back – he’ll have to quarantine on his return – and will may regularly log fourth-line minutes in that role. project as Vancouver’s seventh defender when the qualifying round and the playoffs begin. Because Benn can play both sides comfortably, in Antoine Roussel fact, the evidence is mounting that he’s probably more effective on his off side, he’s likely the first man up for both sides of the Canucks blue line. Antoine Roussel has looked quicker at training camp. Which makes sense considering the pause afforded his surgically repaired knee, an Tyler Graovac operation that took place last spring, more recovery time. Tyler Graovac seems like the most likely of the black ace forwards to Quietly, Roussel had really found his stride in the last 10-15 games actually get into the lineup for the Canucks at some point during the before the coronavirus caused the suspension of league play. If he’s NHL’s return to play. It would require several injuries, but he has that back to being his usual play driving self in the bottom six, that would be a versatility edge over the other options because he can lineup at wing or huge boon for the Canucks. centre.

Roussel has also taken a turn as a penalty killer when the Canucks have Justin Bailey run special teams drills, albeit in a limited fashion during the morning skate that preceded Thursday’s scrimmage. However, that suggests he Justin Bailey has been excellent during the first week of Phase 3 training may be the next man up for the Canucks on the kill, in the event of a camp. He looks fit, his speed has played really well in the scrimmage player injury. environment and he’s shown some genuine passing touch during the intrasquad games. Troy Stecher Bailey probably never got the type of run he was hoping for in Vancouver It won’t be easy. The left side of Vancouver’s defence corps is getting this past season and it seems unlikely that he factors into the qualifying more competitive, now that Rathbone has signed. Juolevi is going to round or playoffs for Vancouver. He’s certainly made a case for himself have to improve significantly just to maintain his spot on the over the past seven days though. organizational depth chart.

Depending on what the Canucks decide to do with their depth This next 12 months will be absolutely crucial for Juolevi’s Canucks goaltenders, Bailey could be a possibility to get cut prior to the club career. The skills are there, but I’d still expect Juolevi to be cut before the relocating to Edmonton to Phase 4 despite playing well in camp thus far. Canucks move on to Phase 4.

Guillaume Brisebois Kole Lind

Of Vancouver’s depth options on defence, Guillaume Brisebois seems A late call up for the Canucks’ Phase 3 training camp after Sven the most polished to me. He does nothing spectacularly well, but he’s just Baertschi exercised his right to opt-out of return to play, Kole Lind has solid in all facets of the game. He’s quick enough to move the puck, he come in at the eleventh hour and more than held his own during training passes really well and he’s sturdy enough defensively that he can hang camp. There have been some nice moments offensively in the in this unique and competitive NHL environment. scrimmages he’s played in, even if he hasn’t scored, and he certainly hasn’t looked overwhelmed physically or in his play without the puck. After Benn, he’s likely the next man up for the Canucks on the left side of their defence corps. That’s a big accomplishment, particularly considering the level of play and the highly competitive atmosphere at this camp. I’d be surprised if Jalen Chatfield Lind moved on with the team to Edmonton for Phase 4, but he’s shown Jalen Chatfield has been the standout among the right-side depth options very well. for the Canucks through the first week of training camp. He’s moved the Michael DiPietro puck well, he doesn’t seem at all cowed by a pretty unforgiving environment and for a player who hasn’t scored an American League We really haven’t seen much of Michael DiPietro at this camp. DiPietro goal since the 2017-18 season, he’s shown some surprising offensive missed a couple of days of practice for reasons that were never publicly pop. In Thursday night’s scrimmage, Chatfield scored a goal and hit the disclosed. crossbar with a backhand attempt. Louis Domingue Chatfield’s speed and defensive play haven’t looked at all out of place in the first week of Vancouver’s Phase 3 training camp. I’d think he has the Louis Domingue has been working with the second group throughout edge to be the first man up on the right side of the Canucks defence camp. I’ll be curious to see if the club opts to bring three or four corps, most likely after Benn. goaltenders into Phase 4. I’d think that DiPietro would have a narrow edge over Domingue in the event the club decides to opt to only bring Ashton Sautner three netminders (for what it’s worth, I’d expect them to bring four).

The Canucks have been rotating in their various eighth defenders for an On the Bubble audition with the main group during their Phase 3 training camp and it should be noted that Ashton Sautner hasn’t had as much run as some of If everyone stays healthy there’s two spots available, and five candidates his teammates. His stint with the main group occurred at a morning skate for two jobs. Giddy up: on Thursday, instead of at a full main camp practice. Jake Virtanen

I’d rate Sautner behind Chatfield and Brisebois among the Canucks’ The first week of camp for Jake Virtanen hasn’t exactly gone according to depth options on the back end. Sautner certainly didn’t help himself a ton plan. He was roughly invisible in the first three days of camp and then with a giveaway prone performance in Sunday’s scrimmage. struggled enormously in Thursday night’s scrimmage and was called out Sautner has the advantage of being able to play both sides and is the by Horvat for running around in frustration after bobbling a puck on a one depth defender – outside of the primary seven – who even got into a breakaway. game for the Canucks this past season. Still, I think there’s a chance he At Canucks practice on Saturday, Virtanen took line rushes as an extra. ends up being cut prior to the club relocating to Edmonton for Phase 4. On Sunday, he was a non-factor in the scrimmage while Zack MacEwen Brogan Rafferty starred.

Brogan Rafferty has played well during the Phase 3 training camp. It’s a To Virtanen’s credit, he’s done what he can to make amends since his brutal environment for a young player. You’re stuck with NHL performance Thursday. He made sure to lead his group in the post- competition, there are no real cuts, the overall competitive environment is scrimmage fitness punishment line rushes on Thursday and stayed out robust and these veteran players – your own teammates – are going at on the rink with Pettersson and Hughes on Saturday. you hard, targeting you in scrimmages and otherwise going all out to win. As we explained last week, the club’s penalty-killing needs will shape the If it seems a bit cruel, it’s also a tremendous opportunity. Particularly for a composition of their bottom-six forward group. Among bottom-six wingers player like Rafferty, who is signed to an affordable one-way deal for next that don’t kill penalties, only two spots are remaining, and Roussel has season. one of those spots sewn up.

Rafferty’s offensive tool kit, his heads-up ability to key the breakout and The Canucks need Virtanen’s offensive abilities and speed in their his ability to read the play in-zone have stood out for the right reasons. bottom-six, but Virtanen will need to pick up his performance and leave His skating ability, however, particularly when defending off the rush, has no doubt — especially with Zack MacEwen pushing hard and Micheal been the area that Rafferty will need to improve if he’s going to earn an Ferland poised to rejoin the Canucks’ main group at some point in the everyday spot at the NHL level next season. near future.

Rafferty has played well, but I’d be surprised to see the 25-year-old Zack MacEwen rookie get into the Canucks lineup ahead of a player like Chatfield or MacEwen just keeps on finding ways to overcome all obstacles. Brisebois during the qualifying round or playoffs at this juncture. The undrafted free agent has continued his meteoric rise with another Olli Juolevi stellar week at camp. Among Vancouver’s forwards outside of the top six, Olli Juolevi’s skating looks worlds better than it did when I saw him live in he’s been the clear standout. He followed up a pair of assertive the American League last fall, which is a good sign, particularly scrimmage performances on Tuesday and Wednesday, with an excellent considering the severity of the injury he sustained last year. performance on Thursday night. MacEwen drew the games only penalty, set up a couple of chances – including the Chatfield chance that rung off Juolevi put in a really solid performance in Vancouver’s Sunday the crossbar – and scored a goal. scrimmage. If he can continue to improve, particularly if his skating continues to progress as rapidly as it has over the past six months, he On Saturday, for the first time since training camp began, MacEwen took could yet get his NHL career back on track. line rushes with a regular spot on the wing with Gaudette and Roussel. Then he scored another goal in Sunday’s scrimmage, was never out of position and was dominant along the wall. It’s hard to say that it’s MacEwen’s spot to lose at this point, but without question, MacEwen’s indomitable rise to NHL regular status has continued at pace during Vancouver’s Phase 3 training sessions.

Micheal Ferland

Ferland has been on the ice every day since Wednesday, skating with the second group. On Sunday, he joined the main group for the scrimmage and played fine.

He looked a bit rusty and occasionally looked gassed on extended defensive zone shifts. That’s to be expected.

What’s more important is that he looked fast, he played physically and he finished the entire 50 minutes.

We’ll see where Ferland is at in the days ahead and if he can remain symptom-free. It’s easy to forget, since we haven’t seen him in a while, but a healthy Ferland could still be a very useful contributor for this Canucks team.

Brandon Sutter

If Brandon Sutter is healthy, he’ll be in the lineup. The Canucks need his penalty killing.

This week though, Sutter missed a couple of practices and a couple of scrimmages. “Unfit to play” and all that.

On Saturday, Sutter was back with the club for practice. Then he missed Sunday’s scrimmage. Considering Sutter’s track record of core injuries, we’ll leave him on the bubble for now.

Can Sutter hold up to be a depth contributor for the Canucks in return to play? That’s still a big question.

Loui Eriksson

If Sutter is healthy, Eriksson probably won’t be in the lineup.

Eriksson has shown up to camp in excellent shape. He played well, particularly on Tuesday and Wednesday. He wasn’t nearly as noticeable in Thursday night’s scrimmage, though he showed well again on Sunday.

Credit where it’s due, for all that Eriksson has been through in his Canucks tenure, he’s shown up to earn a spot and has gone about giving himself a real shot.

The way to handicap the battle for minutes among Vancouver’s forwards is that there are two bottom-six wing spots available and one of them has to be filled with a penalty killer, the other is an open competition.

Eriksson is technically eligible for both spots, but realistically, it’s his skills as a penalty killer that will give him the most direct route to dress during Vancouver’s qualifying round series. Sutter will get the nod over Eriksson if he’s healthy, but if he’s not, Eriksson is the next man up.

For the open competition spot, Eriksson is in tough. He certainly can’t match Virtanen or MacEwen’s physical play, their speed and probably even their offensive abilities at this point in his career. What Eriksson does have over both though, is that safe, reliable two-way game (although MacEwen seems to be rapidly closing the gap there).

If Eriksson isn’t in the lineup and the Canucks find themselves holding onto a lead with time winding down on the clock in a must-win game, you can bet the Canucks would wish they had him dressed. That counts for a lot. Don’t count out Loui.

The Athletic LOADED: 07.21.2020 1188931 Websites Forwards: Brett Hull (USA), Vladimir Tarasenko (RUS), Jori Lehtera (FIN) Defense: Chris Pronger (CAN), Carl Gunnarsson (SWE)

Goalie: Jaroslav Halak (SVK) The Athletic / Down Goes Brown: Which team’s history can build the best 6-country lineup? Another mixed bag. We’ve got two Hall-of-Famers; Hull’s international resume puts him on Team USA even though he was born in Canada,

meaning we can use Pronger too (or Al MacInnis if you’d prefer). By Sean McIndoe Jul 20, 2020 Tarasenko is an easy choice up front. Things fall off a bit from there since the Blues don’t have much history with Finnish or Swedish stars. Lehtera is pretty much mandatory as the only Finn to even hit triple digits in games played for the franchise, which fills out the forwards and bumps The NHL is headed back to the Olympics, thanks to the new CBA. Patrik Berglund out of the running for the Swedish spot, forcing us to pick Assuming they can work out a deal with the IOC, we’ll finally see the Gunnarsson for the back end. Halak’s no Cujo or even Mike Liut, but he’s return of best-on-best international play on the sports world’s biggest good enough to beat out Roman Turek for the goaltending job. stage. The Blues give us a bit more balance than the Oilers could offer, but To celebrate, let’s spend some time on an international-themed question: there must be better options out there. Now that we’ve got the hang of Which NHL team can build the best six-man starting lineup of players this, let’s level up to the Original Six and see what we can find when we from six different hockey nations? have a full century of history to work with. Specifically, we’re going to be looking for one player each from Canada, Montreal Canadiens the United States, Sweden, Finland and Russia/the old . We’ll round out the lineup with one player from somewhere else, such as Forwards: Saku Koivu (FIN), Mats Naslund (SWE), Tomas Plekanec the Czech Republic, Germany, Slovakia, etc. The team with the best six (CZE) guys wins. Defense: Andrei Markov (RUS), Chris Chelios (USA) Simple, right? After all, most of these teams have been around for decades, and have had players from all around the world. How hard can Goalie: (CAN) it be to find six stars from different countries who’ve all suited up for the Huh. same team? So here’s the thing. Typically when we do these sorts of team-building Well, hold that thought, because this is going to get trickier than you exercises, the Original Six teams have a big advantage, because they’ve might think. But first, as always, some ground rules: got so much more history to draw on. But this time, that really doesn’t A player’s country will be the one he played for internationally or, if we matter, because the first half of the NHL’s history is almost exclusively don’t have that, where he was born. Canadians and a handful of Americans. Those extra few decades of existence don’t really help. We want three forwards, two defensemen and a goalie, but otherwise we don’t care about who plays where. This will be tough enough for some You can see that play out with the Habs — they have a rich history of teams without having to worry about matching up wingers or which way a legendary stars, but they’re almost all Canadian. I toyed with slipping in defenseman shoots. Halak as the goaltender so that I could get a Maurice Richard or Larry Robinson onto the roster, but I think we pretty much have to use our Teams can use any player who played for them, but they only get credit Canadian spot in net. I went with Plante, but you could slot in Patrick Roy for those seasons, not his whole career. If we put Wayne Gretzky on the or Ken Dryden if you want. Blues roster, they’re getting 21 regular-season points and a neutral zone turnover in overtime and that’s it. Still, even without the Rocket, this is a reasonably strong lineup, with two Hall-of-Famers and nobody that really jumps out as an obvious weak Make sense? Take a minute to try to come up with a starting six for your spot. Let’s see what some of the other Original Six teams can do. own favorite team. We won’t do all 31 teams here, but we’ll carve off enough of the league to give us a good sense of how this works. And Chicago Blackhawks we’ll start with one example that illustrates just how challenging this can Forwards: (CAN), Alexei Zhamnov (RUS), Tuomo Ruutu be … (FIN) Edmonton Oilers Defense: Chris Chelios (USA), Niklas Hjalmarsson (SWE) Forwards: Wayne Gretzky (CAN), Jari Kurri (FIN), Leon Draisaitl (GER) Goalie: Charlie Gardiner (UK) Defense: Boris Mironov (RUS), Lee Fogolin (USA) First things first: No, we can’t cheat and say that Stan Mikita is Slovakian. Goalie: Tommy Salo (SWE) While he was born there, Mikita played for Team Canada in 1972. You could make a case for him over Hull as the Canadian here, but he won’t Admit, that’s not anywhere near as good a lineup as you expected, right? fill our “other” slot. The Oilers, for all their ups and downs, have been blessed with some of the very best players in NHL history. But almost all of them have been Instead, we’ll use Gardiner, a star from the ’20s and ’30s who was born Canadians, so once you slot Gretzky into the forward ranks you’ve wiped in Edinburgh. That feels a little shady too since he grew up in Canada out a ton of talent. No Connor McDavid, no Mark Messier, no Paul Coffey and probably would have played for them internationally if there had or Grant Fuhr or Taylor Hall. been such a thing for pros back then. We’re still following the rules here, but I will accept mild heckling for this pick. We do have some relatively easy calls for the other forwards, since Kurri might be the best Finnish player ever, and Draisaitl seems like a slam I assumed the Hawks roster would end up with Patrick Kane as the dunk to fill the “other” slot. But that leads to another problem: The Oilers’ American, but in the end I needed a forward spot for Ruutu. He’s best Americans have all been forwards, including Doug Weight and Todd certainly not great, but if we don’t do it this way then we’re left scrambling Marchant. We’ve run out of room to use them now, so we’re stuck with for a Finnish blueliner, and the Hawks’ all-time games played leader in Lee Fogolin on the blue line. He’s paired with Mironov because the Oilers that category is, believe it or not, Olli Maatta. Luckily, we’ve got a Hall-of- have never had many Russian players and if we don’t use him then we Fame option in Chelios, making his second appearance in as many might be stuck with Nail Yakupov. teams, so it works out reasonably well.

Salo isn’t a bad option to round out the team – he’s actually third all-time Boston Bruins in games played in net for the franchise – but it’s not a great lineup top- Forwards: Sergei Samsonov (RUS), P.J. Axelsson (SWE), Ted Donato to-bottom, even with a couple of all-time greats. This might not be so (USA) easy after all. Let’s see if we can find a team that does a little better. Defense: Bobby Orr (CAN), Zdeno Chara (SVK) St. Louis Blues Goalie: Tuukka Rask (FIN) Rask is the key here, giving us a big-name goalie and keeping us from New York Rangers having to use our Finnish slot on Mikko Eloranta. Even then, we don’t exactly wind up with an All-Star squad up front, and I was especially Forwards: Mark Messier (CAN), Jaromir Jagr (CZE), Tomas Sandstrom surprised at how thin the Bruins were for American forwards. Donato and (FIN) Steve Heinze are the only options that played more than 400 games for Defense: Brian Leetch (USA), Sergei Zubov (RUS) the team, and I had to think seriously about going with a limited sample from somebody like Phil Kessel or Blake Wheeler instead. The best Goalie: Henrik Lundqvist (SWE) American player the Bruins have ever had is probably Tim Thomas, at There are a few different ways you could go with the Rangers, and this least until Torey Krug or Charlie McAvoy can build a stronger case. lineup isn’t quite as strong as it looks at first glance – remember, we’re Zdeno Chara, Tuukka Rask only getting a few years of Jagr, and just three early campaigns from Zubov. Still, it’s a strong group that boasts four (and eventually five) Hall- Of course, neither Krug nor McAvoy are in the running here, because of-Famers, and Sandstrom had a 40-goal season in New York. This team man, that blue line is a thing of beauty. The Orr/Chara combo covers might give the Bruins a run for the Original Six title. pretty much every attribute you’d want in a defenseman; put them in front of Rask and we probably don’t need our rag-tag group of forwards to do Los Angeles Kings much more than stay out of the way. Even without any real threats up Forwards: Wayne Gretzky (CAN), Anze Kopitar (SVN), Alex Frolov front, the Bruins are the best team we’ve seen so far just on the strength (RUS) of their back end. Defense: Mattias Norstrom (SWE), Aki Berg (FIN) Buffalo Sabres Goalie: Jonathan Quick (USA) Forwards: Gilbert Perreault (CAN), Pat LaFontaine (USA), Alexander Mogilny (RUS), We start strong up front with a legend and a current star, and we end with a Cup-winning goalie, but the middle of the roster is disappointing. Defense: Rasmus Ristolainen (FIN), Henrik Tallinder (SWE) Norstrom was better than you might remember, but Aki Berg was Aki Goalie: Dominik Hasek (CZE) Berg. Frolov is basically there by default and also because I didn’t have the heart to troll Kings fans by using Ilya Kovalchuk. I like this squad a lot. You start with quite possibly the best goaltender ever, and add a very strong forward line that features three slam dunk Let’s see if we can have better luck elsewhere in California … Hall-of-Famers, two of which are actually in the Hall of Fame. The blue Anaheim Ducks line is just OK, but I’m not sure this team needs it to be more than that. And as an added bonus, they’ll be even better in a few years when we Forwards: (CAN), Teemu Selanne (FIN), Petr Sykora (CZE) can swap out Tallinder for Rasmus Dahlin. Defense: Hampus Lindholm (SWE), Oleg Tverdovsky (RUS) Washington Capitals Goalie: John Gibson (USA) Forwards: Alex Ovechkin (RUS), Nicklas Backstrom (SWE), (CAN) Not bad. The Kariya/Selanne combo is iconic, and we’re able to find solid players everywhere else in the lineup. There’s no Gretzky here, but then Defense: John Carlson (USA), Timo Blomqvist (FIN) again the Kings weren’t getting him at the height of his powers, so I think the Ducks take the state title here. (In case you’re wondering, the Sharks Goalie: Olaf Kolzig (GER) are surprisingly weak once you get past the Joe Thornton/Joe Pavelski Here’s a weird fact: The Caps don’t have a single Canadian in their top starting combo and Evgeni Nabokov in net.) five for games played. It’s still not an especially hard slot to fill, although I Let’s head up north for our next few … had to pass up my first choice of Rod Langway to make room for Blomqvist, the only Finnish Cap with more than 65 games played. Calgary Flames Instead, I’ll go with Hunter to complete a very good forward group, and Kolzig and Carlson (edging out Kevin Hatcher) round out a strong lineup. Forwards: (CAN), Kent Nilsson (SWE), Sergei Makarov (RUS) Tampa Bay Lightning Defense: Gary Suter (USA), Frantisek Musil (CZE) Forwards: Steven Stamkos (CAN), Nikita Kucherov (RUS), Valtteri Filppula (FIN) Goalie: Miikka Kiprusoff (FIN)

Defense: Victor Hedman (SWE), Pavel Kubina (CZE) Most of the franchise’s top stars have been Canadian, but we’ve got a decent supporting cast here led by Kiprusoff, who was one of the best Goalie: Ben Bishop (USA) goalies in the league for a while. Kent Nilsson didn’t hang around as long as others, but his skill level was legendary so we’ll use him ahead of Another solid offering, with the main decision being whether you want the Hakan Loob or Mikael Backlund. Musil might be the weak spot; if we Kucherov/Bishop combo or would prefer something like Tyler Johnson were going solely by birth country we could sneak in Robyn Regehr, who with Andrei Vasilevskiy. We could also argue Martin St. Louis over was one of two NHLers to be born in Brazil, but he played for Team Stamkos, or whether you’d prefer the higher peak of Roman Hamrlik over Canada. Kubina’s longer stint. Still, it’s a good team. Is it good enough to take the All-Florida title from a Panthers’ squad of Toronto Maple Leafs Barkov/Bure/Garpenlov/Svehla/Yandle/Luongo? Probably, although it’s close. Forwards: Mats Sundin (SWE), Auston Matthews (USA), Kasperi Kapanen (FIN) Let’s try a team we’ve been picking on lately around these parts … Defense: Tomas Kaberle (CZE), Dmitri Yushkevich (RUS) Minnesota Wild Goalie: (CAN) Forwards: Mikko Koivu (FIN), Marian Gaborik (SVK), Sergei Zholtok (RUS) Maybe this is my homer bias creeping in, but I found the Leafs to be the hardest team to put together. You could do this in a lot of different ways, Defense: Ryan Suter (USA), Jonas Brodin (SWE) and I’m not convinced that my version is the right one. Start with the Sweden question: Sundin up front, or Borje Salming on the blue line? Do Goalie: Devan Dubnyk (CAN) you take Matthews as your American, go with Phil Kessel or Ed Olczyk That’s a surprisingly strong team. We either have to use our Canadian instead, or switch it up with a defenseman like Jake Gardiner or Al slot on a goalie or pass up Koivu as our Finn to get Niklas Backstrom, but Iafrate? Does it make sense to drop Kaberle so you can use Frederik it still works out reasonably well. The only weak spot is the third forward Andersen in goal and free up a Canadian slot for a Doug Gilmour or slot because Zholtok is somehow one of just five Russian skaters the Dave Keon? Can you find room for Mogilny as your Russian? team has ever had. I thought about just dropping Kirill Kaprizov onto the team, but we should probably wait until he’s played a shift or two. There are no easy answers. Well, except for Kapanen, since the Leafs have somehow only had six Finnish skaters in franchise history, and that list includes Aki Berg and six games of Olli Jokinen.

Let’s try one more Canadian entry before we take this home …

Vancouver Canucks

Forwards: Pavel Bure (RUS), Ryan Kesler (USA), one of the Sedins (SWE)

Defense: Jyrki Lumme (FIN), Jiri Bubla (CZE)

Goalie: Roberto Luongo (CAN)

There are almost too many good Swedes to choose from here, with Henrik or Daniel Sedin knocking out Elias Pettersson, Markus Naslund, Alex Edler and Mattias Ohlund. Bure is an automatic pick, and Luongo kind of has to be too. I’m using Kesler as my American up front over Brock Boeser, at least for now. And as expected, the blue line is the issue, since the Canucks half-century-long streak of never having a Norris-caliber defender continues, at least until Quinn Hughes gets another year or two under his belt. Until then, I’m just going to tell you that Jiri Bubla was really good in the ’80s and assume you’re too young to call me on it.

OK, we’ve beat around the bush long enough. Let’s head down the stretch with a team I’m guessing you’ve been wondering about …

Detroit Red Wings

Forwards: (CAN), Pavel Datsyuk (RUS), Valtteri Filppula (FIN)

Defense: Nicklas Lidstrom (SWE), Chris Chelios (USA)

Goalie: Dominik Hasek (CZE)

If I had to guess, the Wings were the team you thought of when you tried to figure out who’d take the title. They’ve been around long enough to have a few legendary Canadians, they have arguably the best Swede to ever play in the NHL and they built a dynasty in the ’90s largely around Russian players. They’re very thin on the Finnish front, and they’re not as strong on the back end as they look at first glance because they’re only getting the sunset years of Chelios and Hasek. You could actually make a case for Reed Larson as the American defenseman, but even an old Hasek still beats out Petr Mrazek in goal.

Yeah, I think this is pretty clearly the best team we’ve seen so far. But before we hand them the crown, there’s one more contender we need to look at …

Pittsburgh Penguins

Forwards: Mario Lemieux (CAN), Jaromir Jagr (CZE), Evgeni Malkin (RUS)

Defense: Ulf Samuelsson (SWE), Olli Maatta (FIN)

Goalie: Tom Barrasso (USA)

Oh man, this is going to be close.

The Penguins can start with Mario or Sidney Crosby up front and group them with a pair of MVPs and slam dunk Hall-of-Famers. They’ve got a two-time Cup winner in goal. And the blue line might not score much, but it will take out a few ACLs thanks to Ulfie.

Is that good enough to challenge the Wings? It might be. It’s definitely the best forward group we’ve seen. There’s more star power on the Detroit entry, but all of the Penguins’ guys did their best work in Pittsburgh.

It’s close, but I’m leaning Detroit, with the Penguins a close second and the Bruins edging out the Rangers to get on the podium in third place.

Now it’s your turn. If you’ve got a lineup for a team I skipped, or a better version of one that I made, let me see it. And if you want to make the case for somebody other than the Wings, I’m still open to having my mind changed.

The Athletic LOADED: 07.21.2020 1188932 Websites “Yes,” he agreed. “Always when you play a little bit you get more confident. I’ve had a couple of months now where I’ve been really working out, back in Sweden. I’m feeling really good physically, and mentally.” Sportsnet.ca / Philip Broberg has earned invitation to stay with Oilers this summer Mentally is the key word there, for me.

When a player this young steps into a dressing room inhabited by Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and a full slate of genuine NHL players, Mark Spector | July 20, 2020, 2:38 PM he can’t help but be intimidated. When that teenager has never played an NHL game — and has not even begun the process of learning how to

defend on the smaller North American ice — that intimidation can push EDMONTON — The Edmonton Oilers invited young Philip Broberg to the player into simply playing everything safe. this unique, summer training camp just so the 19-year-old could get But where some players would simply try not to get beat, Broberg some experience. wheeled around veteran Kris Russell on Saturday, taking quite the Come on over from Sweden, live at Adam Larsson’s house, and you’ll be opposite approach by beating the veteran cleanly. the 11th defenceman at this oddly timed camp. Begin the process of “It’s a fine line (between) playing your style of hockey and showing the getting to know your future teammates, and we’ll send you home by Aug. coaches and the team who you are as a player, and simply growing your 1 when the NHL playoffs begin. game,” said Oscar Klefbom, a fellow Swede who lived through what Then veteran D-man Mike Green pulled out, and Caleb Jones was late to Broberg is experiencing today. “He has a lot of potential, a lot of join the main squad after testing positive for COVID-19. That left Broberg, confidence with the puck. But sometimes the easy game is the best who turned 19 on June 25, with more rep’s in the first week at Oilers game. camp than he was supposed to get in his entire visit. “It’s a fine line between wanting to show off and keeping it smart and And something happened there. simple.”

Something that has left Broberg as the talk of Oilers camp thus far — Does Broberg need a second year with Skelleftea, the Swedish team for both with media and those inside the organization. which he scored just one goal and eight points in a 45-game rookie season last year? “You can’t walk away from a scrimmage saying that he doesn’t fit (in the NHL),” admitted head coach Dave Tippett. “If anything, you walk away “It’s very individual,” said Klefbom. “For me, I was in a really good spot in saying he does fit.” Sweden. A really professional, big organization (Farjestad) that really believed in me. I played a lot of minutes and felt like I was in a great spot Livestream the Oilers in the Stanley Cup Qualifiers, plus every game of to grow my game, and not to be stressed about coming over here. the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs on Sportsnet NOW. “You get a nice NHL contract and you want to get over here as soon as Broberg scored twice in Saturday’s post-practice scrimmage, one an end possible, to prove to yourself and your teammates in North America that to end rush and the other a slick one-timer off a James Neal feed. He has you’re good enough to play here. But, it’s very individual.” gone from being Edmonton’s 11th defenceman to (at worst) No. 8, passing William Lagesson and Evan Bouchard on the depth chart. He The decision may get made for Broberg if his trajectory continues, the may even have leapfrogged Jones, though we’ll give Jones some time to Oilers win a few games, and he finds himself in an NHL playoff lineup get his game back. this summer. If his game survives that, or perhaps thrives, then he will have played his last game in Sweden. “He looks to me like a player right now that you can put on left D, right D, right wing, left wing, centre,” said Tippett. “He’s a young player that’s He has already passed Bouchard on the Oilers depth chart. Meanwhile trying to come in and make an impression, and he’s certainly doing that.” Broberg’s landlord — the quiet, stay-at-home Larsson — knows that he may yet be part of an Oilers blue line that dresses three Swedes among So, let’s take a step back. its starting six.

This is only training camp, right? We always see young players who “The sky is the limit for him,” said Larsson. “He skates so well for being stand out in training camp, then fall back when the competition level such a big guy. Big, strong, good hockey sense… He has all the keys, all rises. the tools to be a really, really good player in this league.”

Well, kind of. Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 07.21.2020 Remember, this isn’t a normal camp in the sense that there are a bunch of junior kids who get a week, then go back to their CHL clubs. And several more farmhands who get a couple of pre-season games, then go down in time for the start of AHL camp.

This camp is like walking into a normal NHL training camp on Sept. 27. When there are 28 players remaining for 23 jobs.

It starts with Broberg’s superior skating. He had a stride we identified at the Hlinka-Gretzky tournament two years ago, a gait you don’t see twice in 30 trips to watch elite prospects play.

Add in his offensive instincts, his bucked-up size at six-foot-two, 203 lbs., and thus far Broberg has guaranteed an invitation to stay with the Oilers for as long as they last in this summer tournament. In terms of actually playing in an NHL playoff game, that bet has gone from longshot to 45- 55, depending on how long Edmonton lasts and how many injuries they incur on defence.

“I came with the mindset that I would compete against other guys,” Broberg told the media on a Zoom call. “Take advantage of the opportunity here. Take it day to day and see what’s happening.”

From our socially distanced spots on media row, you can clearly see that Broberg’s confidence has risen exponentially from last Monday through the weekend. 1188933 Websites Toronto’s superstars will write their own fate. (Worth noting: Columbus coach John Tortorella announced Sunday that a quick, five-game series means he’ll be playing the snot out of his stars, too.)

Sportsnet.ca / Maple Leafs tease ‘all-star game line’ as their nuclear The Leafs’ rookie coach has been trying all sorts of combinations since option his November arrival.

Safe in the knowledge that Matthews and William Nylander can click and Tavares-Marner is akin to Kindling-Flame, Keefe gave Tavares-Nylander Luke Fox | July 20, 2020, 9:14 AM and Matthews-Marner healthy runs over the winter and enjoyed the results.

Now with Mikheyev not just enhancing but starring on every line he’s TORONTO – Auston Matthews will pack a deck of cards into his luggage been thrown on in camp, and an engaged Nylander reminding that he’s as the Toronto Maple Leafs head into the bubble. comfortable playing centre in a pinch, Keefe’s best two units offer a field Yes, there are a few poker players on the roster, but Matthews operates day of flexibility. a little flashier. When the play-in series starts, don’t be shocked to see double-shifting, Bored one day, he did some research and started adding card tricks to mid-period curveballs, or the super line of Tavares-Matthews-Marner his repertoire. Basic slight-of-hand stuff. thrown over the boards when the Leafs get desperate for a goal or Keefe senses the need to pounce following a killed penalty or heading into a TV “I’m no magician,” Matthews demurs. timeout.

The David Copperfield of toe-drags tested his newfound hobby on “I expect it to move around a fair bit, but we like the fact that, really, Alexander Kerfoot, Harvard graduate. within that top-six forward group we’ve got lots of combinations that can work,” Keefe says. “He’s a pretty smart guy, so I wanted to see if he could figure it out,” Matthews says. “He just so happened to have a couple card tricks up his The architecture of this roster depends on it. sleeve, too. We kind of exchanged card tricks, and here we are.” Captain Tavares — general manager Kyle Dubas’s first core signing — Indeed. Here we are, in the thick of an accelerated training camp, and was brought to town to give the Leafs’ a one-two engine up the middle, the players aren’t the only Leafs with a few surprises up their sleeve. like the twin pistons that have fired Pittsburgh to three championships in this era. As the music pumped to signal the beginning of Sunday’s very game-like scrimmage, coach Sheldon Keefe’s all-in top line glided to centre ice for Tavares — hampered with an oblique injury and a broken finger — the opening draw: Matthews in the middle, flanked by John Tavares to wasn’t as consistent as he’d like this season and not as dominant as his his left and Mitch Marner to his right. first season in Toronto. And Matthews arrived at camp two weeks behind the pack’s conditioning, due to the forced isolation inherent with a True, top-line wing Zach Hyman was unable to participate and should positive Coronavirus test. reclaim his spot in time for the real action, but Keefe’s formation of this high-powered trio wasn’t just for giggles. When Game 1 versus the Blue Jackets rolls around in two weeks, the Leafs’ elite forwards should be shot out of a cannon. If you’d like to call Tavares-Matthews-Marner the nuclear option, Keefe reminded Leafs Nation over the weekend whose thumb will press the red Matthews says he’s feeling better with each passing day, that the on-ice button. magic is coming back as he weaves through traffic and rediscovers his timing. This, Keefe notes, is with Matthews “holding back on some of his “I suspect it’s something that I would want to go back to at different biggest weapons with his shot,” for fear of injuring a teammate. times,” Keefe says. “Here now, it’s a chance for us to get them some reps.” “The way that he controls a puck, the head and the hands are the great equalizer,” says Barrie, moments after seeing his pal bat one midair past In the two seasons since Tavares signed with the club, he’s skated Andersen. “He certainly has those going.” alongside Matthews and Marner at even strength for a grand total of 74 minutes and 48 seconds. During those rare shifts together, the Eight “I mean, he’s Auston,” defenceman Rasmus Sandin adds. “He’s always Figures Club has combined for 69.4 per cent of the shot attempts and looking amazing out there.” 72.1 per cent of the scoring chances, scoring 13 times (per NaturalStatTrick.com). Doubtlessly benefitting from the prolonged rest, Marner and Tavares aren’t shabby either. Jason Spezza, the Leafs’ resident student of the So tilted is the ice defending against this trio, it must feel like trying to game, named those two first when asked whom has caught his eye at play a pinball machine plugged into an ascending gondola. camp.

“It’s an all-star game line. So it can’t be fun to play against, but it’s fun to “We’ve played together sporadically throughout the season on the power get out there with them,” says Tyson Barrie, who had the privilege of play, so obviously they’re two special players and fun guys to play with,” starting the MMT line’s breakouts on the weekend. “You guys are seeing Matthews says. “We were starting to hem the [Andersen] team in their some creative plays.” end a little bit and got rolling around, so I think those are always positive signs. Tasked with solving No. 1 goalie Frederik Andersen and weaving through Toronto’s top four defencemen during Sunday’s bells-and-whistles “We’re trying some new stuff out.” scrimmage, Matthews scored twice and Marner once. The shifty winger also set up second-liner Ilya Mikheyev — reset camp’s Most Improved Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 07.21.2020 Player, easy — for one of his two snipes in a 5-0 laugher for Team Matthews.

“I mean, we can score,” Barrie smiles. “Those guys obviously got some good chemistry going right now, and we’re making Team Freddy pay for it. I liked our details today, too. There wasn’t a whole lot of turnovers in the neutral zone out of us and (we were) tracking back.”

It’s a cliché as old as the Stompin’ Tom song that rang throughout Ford Performance Centre yesterday: Come playoff time, your best players must be your best players.

Short series, short bench.

And while the last man in Keefe’s shoes was often criticized for being too generous to the bottom six at crunch time, Keefe has made it clear that 1188934 Websites The concern was that he’d lose some of the momentum when he missed the first week of camp.

“I did get a little nervous the (recent) layoff would be detrimental for him, Sportsnet.ca / Flames' Dube, Mangiapane poised to be X-factors against but I think he made a great statement (Sunday) night,” said Ward. Jets “He played really well. I thought that line had a good game and Dubes was a real driver for them. The good thing for us is he had a tremendous Phase 2, skating on his own – all the reports I was getting was that he Eric Francis | July 20, 2020, 7:38 PM was just flying. I think the shape he got into led to him being as good as he was (Sunday) night.”

As one observer suggested, “Dube made others look slow.” There may never be clarification on what kept Dillon Dube out of training camp for the first five days. Maybe, just maybe, these two youngsters have a chance to be Calgary’s X-factors against Winnipeg, using this stage to make names for What has been quickly established upon his return is that he’s not in themselves by getting the Flames over a decades-long playoff hump. danger of being left off the Calgary Flames playoff roster. “100 per cent, yeah,” said Mangiapane, 24, when asked if he viewed this In fact, if his stellar debut in Sunday night’s inner-squad game is any opportunity the same way. indication, Canada’s former World Junior captain is poised for the type of breakout Andrew Mangiapane may also be on the verge of. “I think every player in the league, you have to play with confidence. Last year and going into the playoffs you are nervous. Every little play in the The two youngsters were arguably the top players in the Flames’ first playoffs is that much more important.” simulated game, which is essentially a continuation of where they were at before the pause. And now he feels he has the tools and experience to handle playoff pressure and demands much better. After all, it was only late last season As a mainstay on the Flames’ third line, opposite Milan Lucic, Dube had he had established himself as an everyday NHLer. two goals Sunday despite having injured regular Derek Ryan replaced by Sam Bennett. Lucic and Bennett also scored, giving the lads eight points Dube’s growth has him poised to take another step as well. all told. “We’ve had a while off to reflect – your body is recovered and you’re Not bad for his first skate with the team after missing the first five feeling good about yourself,” said Dube, who had six goals and 16 points sessions. in 45 games as a third line mucker.

“We had a chat beforehand – I knew that coming in I needed to be ready “Every year steps are being taken and it feels like a new start and new to go,” said Dube when asked if he was aware of coach Geoff Ward’s year. I’m taking this confidence into the playoffs.” pre-game comments suggesting he’d have to prove he could make up for lost practice time. Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 07.21.2020

“I missed out on some things, but we went over video. I was lucky enough my line was going and helping me out a lot.”

Mangiapane could say the same things about linemates Matthew Tkachuk and Mikael Backlund, whose second unit went into the pause as one of the hottest trios in the league.

“I think we are going to be dangerous coming up here,” said Mangiapane, a relative unknown nationally who could change all that starting Aug. 1.

“They’re strong players and we feed off each other every game. We were playing some of our best hockey (before the break). We’re smart in our defensive zone and smart in the offensive zone, reading off one another.”

An undersized sixth round pick who was on pace to score 20 this year, Mangiapane’s work ethic has made him a fan favourite who does plenty to create offence by way of a dogged determination in the corners and the neutral zone where he’s adept at stealing the puck.

On Sunday he was the game’s swipe master, leading all players in thievery.

It has earned him top six billing on a deep Flames team, and makes him a shining example for Dube, whose consistency has been his bugaboo.

“There’s no question he’s an NHL player – that’s more than evident,” said Ward of Dube, who celebrated his 22nd birthday on Monday.

“He belongs in the league and he has confidence in it. What he has to realize is everything comes out of how hard he works. The nice thing to watch last night was he was a shooter first. When he has a chance to make plays and he takes them, he’s a much more effective player. That’s where we see his skill come out. It’s not unlike Mangy when he came here – we were pushing the same things and he got (to) a level where he was confident. We’re confident Dillon’s game will follow Mang’s.”

Dube, Ryan and Lucic’s third unit was a potent group going into the pause, giving Dube a newfound swagger he carried into the layoff, which saw him rollerblading daily in a local warehouse. When Phase 2 began and the Flames players started skating in small groups, the second round pick from nearby Cochrane was drawing rave reviews.

Livestream the Flames in the Stanley Cup Qualifiers, plus every game of the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs on Sportsnet NOW. 1188935 Websites “I think this guy, when I showed up here, was a real young player,” said Julien last week. “I’m not sure if it was just his second or third year in the league, but he was one of those young players that you could see a lot of potential. When I met with him, he kept talking about the fact that he Sportsnet.ca / Canadiens' Phillip Danault chasing perfection, Crosby and really liked a guy like Patrice Bergeron’s game and knew I had coached Malkin him, so it was easy for me to work with this guy and help him become a real reliable player. So what I’ve seen in the years I’ve been here is a guy

that, with experience, with maturity, and with time and practice is getting Eric Engels July 20, 2020, 5:15 PM better all the time at becoming a good two-way player.”

That’s a key caveat.

The drill is simple: Pick up a pass at centre ice, pass it back to the coach, From the Stanley Cup Qualifiers to the Stanley Cup Final, livestream get it back coming over the blue line and take a shot as you approach the every game of the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs, blackout-free, on net. Sportsnet NOW.

In this case, Phillip Danault is shooting against a shooter tutor. Easy Danault cares as much about producing on offence as he does shutting enough. down the opposition’s best players, though he doesn’t necessarily get enough credit for that. But Danault flubs his shot and misses the net. At least not according to young Canadiens centreman Ryan Poehling, You can see the anger rising in him as he curls back up ice in a full sprint who’s been practising over the last four days as part of a smaller group to the other end, and it boils over in the form of him launching his stick with Danault, Victor Mete, Cale Fleury and Cayden Primeau. across the zone as he’s slashing over the other blue line. “He’s one of the core guys who produces offensively for this team, and I Now, I’m not suggesting we read too deeply into that. At least not beyond think he doesn’t get as much credit,” said Poehling on Monday. “But I what it reveals, which is that the 27-year-old Victoriaville, Que., native don’t think it fazes him, either. It’s tough to play both ways when you’re has a penchant for being a perfectionist, and he also tends to always doing the things he can do. When you waste as much energy defensively stand out as one of the most competitive players on the ice. and still produce the way he does, I think it’s definitely special.”

And I’m only bringing this little fit up as an example because, if they’re Danault has registered 25 goals and 75 points in his last 153 games, and going to have any chance of beating the Pittsburgh Penguins in their that’s in spite of the fact that he’s ritually lined up against the best players play-in series this coming August, the Montreal Canadiens are going to in the world and been used sparingly on the power play over the last two need this version of Danault—a player who expects more of himself. seasons. Because for as good of a player as Danault has become, he needs to be even better this summer. Meanwhile, at five-on-five, Danault’s been the driving force of a line that has controlled 62 per cent of the shot attempts and scored 76 goals but Find a player participating in the NHL’s 24-team tournament for the allowed only 46 (according to naturalstattrick.com) over that time. Stanley Cup who will have a tougher assignment than Montreal’s top centre. Good luck. Whatever time Danault doesn’t spend matched up Naturally, Julien is going to rely heavily on the Tatar-Danault-Gallagher with Sidney Crosby is likely to be spent facing off against Evgeni Malkin. line for these summer games, and he’ll be depending on Danault to lead a group of centres (in Max Domi, Nick Suzuki, Jesperi Kotkaniemi and And if you want a sense for how tough a chore that will be, Canadiens Jake Evans) that doesn’t have any NHL playoff experience. goaltender Carey Price summed it up pretty well when he was asked on Monday what approach his team should take to keep Pittsburgh’s best “I’d say that in the case of Phillip, he takes great pride in being good at players from producing on the power play. both ends of the ice,” said Julien. “I hope his line will be good to the point where they’ll spend much more time in the offensive zone than in the “We could ask them nicely to stay at the hotel for the games,” Price defensive zone. That will mean that if he’s playing against a guy like quipped. Crosby, Crosby will have to spend more time defending than attacking.”

Naturally, neither Crosby nor Malkin will oblige. And it’s fair to say that For Danault’s part, he’s not treating this assignment any different than he they’ll be equally dangerous at five-on-five, which is where Danault must would if he were lining up against any other top centre in the league. come up as a difference maker for the Canadiens. “I’m going to prepare the same way as every single game during the It’s a challenge he feels his line, with Brendan Gallagher and Tomas year,” he said. “I play against big lines. It’s my role, I take pride in this. Tatar, is equipped to handle. We take pride in this as a line, as a team too.

“I think defensively we have to have confidence in each other, we have to “Obviously I know Crosby’s a really, really good player offensively, back each other up well,” Danault said last week. “We know their offence defensively, he’s a two-way forward. So it’s going to be a big challenge, is solid. They have the best players in the playoffs in Crosby and Malkin. probably one of the biggest of my career so far, so I’m going to embrace They’re excellent players. I think if we can have confidence in each other it. It’s going to be fun, and like I said, I want to embrace the challenge.” defensively, and Price can be huge—without putting too much pressure on him—we’ll be there to help him… We have an incredible opportunity On facing Crosby and Malkin, Danault said, “Crosby is more of a two-way and we’re going to embrace it and play to our identity.” player, and I’d say Malkin is more offensive, but the challenge will be the same.” The identity Danault has carved out for himself over the past two seasons is as one of the most reliable centres in the game. Last year, he “I’ve never played against them in the playoffs, so it might take a bit of finished seventh in the voting for the Selke Trophy, which is annually adaptation,” Danault added. “But I’m going to embrace the challenge, go awarded to the “forward who demonstrates the most skill in the defensive as deep as I can and give it my all.” component of the game,” and the expectation is, even though he won’t Of that, there is little doubt. be named a finalist, he could be amongst the top-five vote-getters this year. Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 07.21.2020 It’s been a steady climb for Danault, who was drafted 26th overall by the Chicago Blackhawks back in 2011. He spent parts of five seasons in the American Hockey League on his way towards establishing himself as an NHL regular.

But it was after Danault was traded to Montreal—in February of 2016— that he began to ascend at an exponential rate. And by the time Canadiens coach Claude Julien was hired, in February of 2017, Danault was that much closer to becoming the player we’ve seen over the last two seasons. 1188936 Websites Consider it his nuclear option. Something he can turn to when the Leafs are chasing a tying goal late in

a game. Sportsnet.ca / Maple Leafs Notebook: One week into camp, Toronto is What remains to be seen is if he’ll use it more often than that. With 'full speed ahead' opponents like Boston and Tampa Bay already stacking their top lines, and with William Nylander in his back pocket as a fill-in at second-line centre, the possibility can’t be ruled out entirely. Chris Johnston | July 20, 2020, 12:58 PM The Matthews Thing

Through three scrimmages at camp, Auston Matthews is about where TORONTO — When the hockey world stopped, the Toronto Maple Leafs you’d expect him to be — leading all players with three goals and seven decided to “win the wait.” points.

That was the mantra the team adopted during those uncertain weeks But he’s still working his way back to peak form. where it was unclear if the NHL would be able to restart amid the COVID- 19 pandemic. The phrase helped keep the focus on home workouts in Matthews was thrown a curve during the pause with a positive COVID-19 April and May and brought the Leafs back to Toronto en masse for the test last month, which cost him 10-to-12 planned on-ice sessions while voluntary small-group sessions that started in early June, something the observing quarantine at home in Arizona. That makes a difference for organization believes could give it an edge this summer. someone with his acute sense of physical awareness.

While some rivals didn’t bother reopening team facilities for Phase 2 due While his legs seem to be there after skating with teammates in Toronto to lack of demand, Toronto had more than 20 players on the ice for all for the past two and a half weeks, he’s still working on the hands. five weeks. And it had everyone back before the transition to Phase 3 We’ve seen Matthews fumble pucks a bit during drills performed in tight last Monday. spaces. When he’s at his best, they usually look like they’re attached to That’s bought Sheldon Keefe more technical time than he was expecting his stick blade with velcro. It doesn’t seem to be anything worthy of great to work on systematic tweaks and refining details during the first week of concern, but it’s an area he’s focused on as we get deeper into camp. training camp. The head coach remarked more than once that his group “The way I felt the last couple days is a lot better,” Matthews said. “The was ahead of where he thought it would be from a conditioning timing and just kind of handling the puck and just kind of feeling the way standpoint because of the buy-in from his players throughout the pause. you do halfway through the season when you’ve been playing games “We’re going pretty good right now,” defenceman Tyson Barrie said and you’re kind of used to it and just the pace of play and everything is Sunday. “I’m not sure what the rest of the league’s looking like, but we’re starting to come back to me. full speed ahead.” “As far as being happy? I’d always like to be better.” Livestream the Maple Leafs in the Stanley Cup Qualifiers, plus every But, William… game of the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs on Sportsnet NOW. Watching William Nylander skate over six days here has taken me back This hasn’t felt anything like a typical September training camp. to the second floor conference room at the Sheraton Stockholm last There are fewer bodies to keep tabs on — 30 skaters and four goalies, to summer. That’s where we sat down for a memorable interview and be exact — and fewer light moments. The first six days looked like work. Nylander said, “I’m ready to dominate this year.” There was noticeable intensity during drills and some contact between He followed that up with his most dominant NHL season — on pace for teammates. Saturday’s scrimmage included sticks slammed in frustration 37 goals and 71 points when the pause kicked in — and he certainly and swear words screamed from the bench of the team that lost 6-2. doesn’t appear in danger of taking a step back for the restart. The Leafs are less than two weeks from opening a best-of-five Stanley Nylander has been all over the puck in scrimmages and competitive Cup qualifier against Columbus, and Keefe is asking them to push it to drills. As much as these things can be evaluated in a training camp another gear as they pass the midpoint of camp. format, he’s looked like the most dialled-in player on the ice most days. With the wait winding down, here are some thoughts and observations His edge work certainly doesn’t seem to have suffered from waiting out about what we’ve seen so far at camp: the pause in Florida playing marathon games of tennis against his brother, Alex. The Eight Figure Trio So ready yourself for all of the redemption arc takes once the summer Keefe is not known as a coach who will wait patiently for a game or tournament starts. Even though Nylander felt the need to atone for a playoff series to turn back in his team’s favour. He prefers instead to disappointing 2018-19 season that saw him miss two months of action keep everyone on their toes by being open to blowing up the game plan due to a contract dispute, he’s hardly been a playoff disappointment at a moment’s notice. overall.

This stands in stark contrast to his predecessor, Mike Babcock, who took Among the Leafs to appear in the past two series with Boston and the a rigid view of what the Leafs should look like and be, preaching “steady 2017 first-round matchup with Washington, Nylander leads the team in on the rudder” while largely sticking to a predictable way of doing things. even-strength shot attempts (54.5 per cent), expected goals (56 per cent) and points per 60 (1.94). The contrast in styles will be most apparent during the emotional swings of the playoffs. There you will find moments where the coach will be Buttoning up tempted to go all in. Under these most unusual of circumstances, the question bears asking: So it was no small thing when Keefe brought together his top three Can the Leafs fundamentally change who they are coming out of a four- scorers on a line for Sunday’s scrimmage. Auston Matthews, Mitch month layoff and this training camp? Marner and John Tavares saw just 30 minutes together at 5-on-5 during the regular season and produced predictably damaging results: 61 per Keefe seems to think so. cent of shot attempts, 81 per cent of shots on goal, 73 per cent of “Well I don’t think it’s any secret that we’ve got to be a lot better expected goals and a 3-0 edge in goals. defensively,” he said. “There’s no area of our game defensively that we Matthews, Tavares and Marner are also Toronto’s highest-paid players were satisfied with and, we’re not kidding ourselves here, we know that — carrying a higher combined cap hit than the Blue Jackets’ eight-best there’s a lot of areas that we need to look at. And frankly it’s every area. paid forwards. They need to be difference makers in a best-of-five series “From all three zones, everything that we’re doing there we’re either and will probably get some opportunity to do it together. tweaking it and making changes structurally to how we were playing or “I suspect it’s something I would want to go back to at different times,” we’re having more focused intensity and commitment to the habits and Keefe said. detail within it.” He went on to call that the team’s “greatest area of opportunity.” The Leafs were third in goals per game (3.39) this season and ranked 23rd among the returning 24 teams in goals against (3.17).

It’s not yet clear how different this will look.

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There has been particular focus in drills on defensive zone coverage and breakouts, with emphasis placed on remaining tightly packed together. The coaching staff has also shared stats with the players that help illustrate where they’ve fallen short. There’s some belief the issues have stemmed from mindset rather than personnel and tactics.

“(We’ve) got to be a little more focused on shutting the other teams down and getting into that top tier of teams at limiting chances,” Barrie said.

The House Divided

The coaching staff clearly made use of the time off. No detail has been spared.

The best-of-five scrimmage series between Team Matthews and Team Andersen — Matthews leads 2-1, with Game 4 set for Wednesday afternoon — has been a source of some fun with a hype-up video created beforehand while also reintroducing the players to their game day routines.

They brought in referees before the NHL intervened. There is music after whistles and a horn for each goal. The PR staff is circulating game notes. They even incorporated TV timeouts into Sunday’s three-period scrimmage to allow for more rest.

Seriously.

The Reserves

An interesting moment happened during practice Friday, when the reserve players were separated from the main group for the first time.

Keefe briefly addressed everyone at centre ice before the drills commenced, saying it wasn’t time to feel sorry for yourself or get distracted by the fact so few players were now on the ice for the session.

He later told reporters: “We don’t know what we’re up against here, what we’re going to face in terms of injuries or whatever circumstances might be, so we really have to be prepared for anything and those guys have got to stay hungry.”

At this point the reserves are Nick Robertson, Nic Petan, Adam Brooks, Denis Malgin, Kenny Agostino, Tyler Gaudet, Egor Korshkov, Calle Rosen, Teemu Kivihalme, Mac Hollowell, Kasimir Kaskisuo and Joseph Woll.

If the Leafs go on to have an extended playoff run, some of them will be needed to play games.

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Sportsnet.ca / Bergeron, Couturier, O'Reilly named 2019-20 Selke Trophy finalists

Emily Sadler | July 20, 2020, 12:12 PM

Patrice Bergeron, Sean Couturier, and Ryan O’Reilly were named finalists for the Frank J. Selke Trophy on Monday, awarded annually to “the forward who best excels in the defensive aspects of the game.”

The three finalists were determined via a vote by the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association.

Bergeron has now been named a finalist for the award a record nine times in a row. The Boston Bruins forward has won it four times (2011- 12, back-to-back in 2013-14 and 2014-15, and 2016-17).

O’Reilly is the reigning Selke winner. His elite two-way game was on centre stage last season with the St. Louis Blues, leading the franchise from the bottom of the standings to Stanley Cup Champions, also earning the Conn Smythe Trophy for his efforts.

Another Selke win for O’Reilly would make him the first player to claim the award in back-to-back seasons since his fellow finalist. He was also announced as a finalist for the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy last week, given to the player “adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability.”

A trusted face-off man with the Philadelphia Flyers, Couturier led the Selke field when the PHWA released its mid-season awards back in January. He’s been named a finalist once before, finishing second in voting behind Kings centreman Anze Kopitar in 2017-18.

“It’s nice to be honored and recognized by the media,” Couturier said in the Flyers’ press release. “It reflects on the year that the team had as well. I try to pay attention to details and do the right things all the time, be on the right side of the puck and reliable in all aspects of the game. I try to take pride in that.”

Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 07.21.2020 1188938 Websites

Sportsnet.ca / Roman Josi, John Carlson, Victor Hedman named Norris Trophy finalists

Mike Johnston | July 20, 2020, 12:14 PM

Nashville Predators captain Roman Josi, Washington Capitals standout John Carlson and Tampa Bay Lightning stalwart Victor Hedman were named the finalists for the Norris Trophy as top defenceman in the NHL

The announcement was made Monday during the Hockey Central broadcast, along with the Selke Trophy finalists.

This is the first time Josi and Carlson have been named finalists, while Hedman earned the honour in 2018.

Josi has finished top-11 in Norris votes in each of the past five seasons and has been one of the most consistent defencemen of his era. The 30- year-old Bern, Switzerland native had 16 goals and 49 assists through 69 games this season. His 260 shots on goal were the most among blueliners and his 25:47 of ice-time per game ranked third in the league.

Carlson led all NHL defencemen with 75 points in 69 games played, setting a new career high for points and tying his previous career-best of 15 goals. In fact, Carlson’s 75 points were the most on his team – ahead of even Alex Ovechkin – and ranked 12th overall in the NHL. The 30- year-old American has finished top-five in Norris voting in each of the past two seasons.

His 1.09 points per game were the highest total from any defenceman since the 1993-94 season.

Carlson and Josi had been considered Norris frontrunners for most of the 2019-20 season prior to the shutdown, but Hedman was his usual dominant self.

Hedman has been an annual finalist since the 2016-17 campaign and beat out Drew Doughty and P.K. Subban for the award in 2018, joining Nicklas Lidstrom and Erik Karlsson as the only Swedish players to win the trophy. He is the first defenceman since Lidstrom to be named a Norris finalist in four consecutive seasons. His 55 points through 66 games this season was third behind Carlson and Josi.

Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 07.21.2020 1188939 Websites “He looks to me like a player right now that you can put on left D, right D, right wing, left wing, centre,” said head coach Dave Tippett. “He’s a young player that’s trying to come in and make an impression, and he’s certainly doing that.” Sportsnet.ca / NHL Training Camps Day 8: Max Domi makes Phase 3 debut with Canadiens Mark Spector dives into how the 19-year-old defender has made such big impression in such a small amount of time in Edmonton.

Playoff Pettersson is ready Emily Sadler | July 20, 2020, 1:20 PM We’re just a few weeks away from seeing this in a real NHL game:

Is it August yet? We’re heading into the final week without live hockey. Johnny and Monny, together again (again!) Let that sink in for a minute. After a week of speculation around the player groupings at Calgary As we dig into Week 2 of the NHL’s return-to-play training camps, here’s Flames camp, linemates Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan were a look at what’s going on around the league: reunited over the weekend. Suddenly, all was right in the hockey world again. Domi hits the ice That remained the case Monday, with the duo paired with Elias Lindholm Week 2 of training camp started off with a welcome sight in Montreal, as for some instant chemistry. Max Domi made his Phase 3 debut: “We’ve had a lot of chemistry throughout the past two years playing Domi and the Canadiens announced back on July 12 that they were together,” Gaudreau said Sunday, via NHL.com. “I wasn’t worried about delaying the decision about whether or not he’d participate in the that at all. It stunk not being on the ice with them for that first week. I Canadien’s return to play amid the COVID-19 pandemic. As a Type 1 missed them, but it was good to be back with them today and tonight. I Diabetic, he’s considered to be at a higher risk for complications, and thought we had a good first day.” thus took some extra time to assess the risk factors involved with joining the team for Phase 3 and beyond. Prior to the camp change-up, Gaudreau was skating in a small group that also included Milan Lucic, Sam Bennett and Noah Hanifin. This is his first time skating with the team since March. He centred the fourth line with Alex Belzile and Laurent Dauphin to start. Blue Jackets bring Anderson back, but will he play?

Crosby still out The Columbus Blue Jackets welcomed forward Josh Anderson back to the ice over the weekend, though not back to full practice yet. For now, The Pittsburgh Penguins were without their captain at camp once again he’s been hitting the ice for solo sessions with coaches before the rest of on Monday. the club skates as a group. Crosby was with the team on Saturday, but left during the second period As Blue Jackets reporter Aaron Portzline of The Athletic wrote on of that day’s team scrimmage. Monday, the team has given “no indications” that he’s expected to see He was also absent Sunday. Per league rules, the reason for his game action against the Toronto Maple Leafs. absence has not been disclosed. Rather than remain in Canada and meet the team in Toronto’s hub city Keefe not concerned about Hyman’s absence bubble, the Burlington native returned to Columbus to participate in Phase 3 (albeit on a limited basis) while he continues to rehab his Monday is a day off for the Maple Leafs after a busy weekend that saw shoulder following surgery in March. head coach Sheldon Keefe flex a little muscle with a thriller of a first line (Tavares. Matthews. Marner. GO!). Had player and team opted to keep Anderson in Canada and meet in the bubble, it would’ve meant an additional eleven days of quarantine (seven The off-day will be beneficial for forward Zach Hyman, who was ruled before entering the bubble, plus four once inside) for the winger. unfit to play for both Saturday and Sunday’s practices, but skated separate from the big group both days. “That means 11 days with no skating, and I don’t think that’s the best possible way for him to join the team, so this is the course of action we Bruins’ roster keeps rotating took,” Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekäläinen said, via Portzline. The Boston Bruins were without several players over the weekend, with guys like Charlie Coyle, Tuukka Rask, Torey Krug and David Krejci When Anderson underwent shoulder surgery in March, his recovery among nine notably absent on Saturday. timeline was set at four to six months. Game 1 against the Maple Leafs, scheduled for Aug. 2, will mark five months. Definitely an intriguing Defenceman Charlie McAvoy wasn’t on the ice Monday — his first time situation to watch. missing camp action. So while he’s not ready to play just yet, Columbus is putting him in David Pastrnak, currently in quarantine, remained out for Monday’s skate position to be able to jump right in once he’s ready. and practice. Bubble-bound players soaking up family time Makar missing from Avalanche practice The Blues are off today, but… with two-year-old triplets, captain Alex A story to watch in Colorado: Rookie sensation Cale Makar has now Pietrangelo is never really off. While many players already had to leave missed two consecutive practices with the Avalanche. The Calder front- families behind as they set off for training camps, a number of players runner left Saturday’s skate and was not in attendance on Sunday. who permanently reside in their team city have spoken about how they’re Price reveals his game plan vs. Penguins still soaking up lots of family time before they’re bubble-bound. As The Athletic‘s Jeremy Rutherford wrote, Pietrangelo is doing just that before How do you a solve a problem like Crosby and Malkin? Carey Price is departing for Edmonton: going to have to be at the top of his game. Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 07.21.2020 This might work, too:

Broberg’s here to stay

Every training camp brings a surprise, and Philip Broberg has been just that for Edmonton this summer. Initially brought over from Sweden just for the experience of playing among NHLers at camp, the big defenceman suddenly looks like he could be staying awhile. 1188940 Websites Regardless of where Domi lines up, Julien feels he’ll be an important factor in Montreal’s play-in series with the Pittsburgh Penguins, which is scheduled to begin in Toronto, on Aug. 1.

Sportsnet.ca / Canadiens' Max Domi back at practice, figures to be key “We’re adding a player with a lot of offensive ability,” Julien said. “We’re piece vs. Penguins adding a player who has experience in the NHL. Every year, he’s in our top three or four scorers. So, when a player like that joins your group, it’s a plus.”

Eric Engels | July 20, 2020, 3:09 PM Domi is expected to make his first public comments since May 14 following practice on Tuesday.

Sportsnet.ca LOADED: 07.21.2020 BROSSARD, Que. — After weeks of speculation as to whether or not Max Domi would participate in Phases 3 and 4 of the NHL’s return-to- play protocol, the centreman was at Montreal Canadiens practice on Monday.

Domi, who’s a type-1 diabetic and has Celiac disease, was given seven to 10 days from the onset of training camp last Monday to make a decision on his participation. As Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin explained last week, Domi wanted as much assurance as possible that he’d be in a safe and controlled environment given that people with his medical condition are in a higher risk category should they contract COVID-19.

It was clear Domi felt assured when he emerged as part of Montreal’s second power-play unit prior to this Monday’s practice. He then participated in full with Laurent Dauphin and Alex Belzile as wingers.

“He’s on board. Obviously he’s back,” Canadiens coach Claude Julien said about the 25-year-old Winnipeg native. “But we know that, in his case, if there’s ever anything that happens that would put him at risk, he could leave.”

Julien noted that Domi had skated several times on his own in Toronto before joining the Canadiens at practice on Monday.

As for Domi’s conditioning, Julien said he’ll give him time to catch up.

“For now, it was a good first day for him and a day where he realized the pace is pretty high for a group that’s been practising for the last week,” Julien said. “It was good to see him and he appears really positive and very pleased that we have a group here that appears to be in real good health.”

Canadiens goaltender Carey Price was particularly pleased to see Domi with the group.

“It was really good to see him today,” Price said. “He brings a lot of enthusiasm to our locker room and on the ice. He’s a vocal guy and he’s got a unique laugh that everybody likes to hear.”

Domi was all smiles on the ice as he worked his way through drills.

As to where he’ll fit into Julien’s lineup, the coach said that’s yet to be determined.

“I’m not there yet,” Julien said. “We still have the rest of the week before we play our first game against Toronto. We have a lot of time to make adjustments and also a lot of time where things can happen that can force certain adjustments. So there’s no point in cementing myself on certain decisions. There are already some lines intact that we know well, there are already certain players we know will be in our lineup, but we’ll take our time with everything else.”

One of the decisions Julien will have to make is whether to play Domi at centre or move him to the wing.

The bulk of Domi’s 36 goals and 135 points in his first 222 games as an NHLer, and as a member of the Arizona Coyotes, were scored from the wing. But since coming to Montreal via trade in the summer of 2018, his 45 goals and 116 points in 153 games were mostly produced from the centre position.

“He can play both,” said Julien in response to a question about where he’d prefer to play Domi. “The question is a question, it’s a good question. I think he can play both, so there’s no issues there. And that’s the good part about a lot of these players, where there’s a versatility in their game that can be used at both.

“I keep saying it over and over again—anyone who can play centre can play wing, but somebody who’s never played the centre position and plays wing can have a hard time. We’re blessed to have a lot of players who can play both positions.” 1188941 Websites injury disclosure protocols during these times makes it hard to determine exactly what is bothering Crosby and how serious it is. Get used to hearing a lot of “unfit to play” verbiage because that’s all coaches can say about any kind of injury these days. Sportsnet.ca / Weekend Takeaways: Gaudreau returns to Flames' top line, McDavid gets quicker The stakes are always higher when someone of Crosby’s ilk is missing time — if he had to sit out some, or all, of their series against Montreal it would certainly increase the Canadiens’ chances. However, it’s probably too early to start worrying about Crosby. According to Seth Rorabaugh of Rory Boylen July 20, 2020, 9:58 AM Trib Live: “A team source indicated Crosby’s departure from Saturday’s scrimmage was a precautionary measure for an undisclosed ailment.”

There is nothing normal in NHL training camps these days. The timing of Without any more information available to us, all we can do is keep a them is strange. What teams are preparing for is a competition and sharp eye on Pittsburgh practice this week, and look for Crosby’s return. setting unlike any NHL event before it. Injuries are being dealt with Senior Writer Ryan Dixon and NHL Editor Rory Boylen always give it differently than usual. We’re in a strange new world. 110%, but never rely on clichés when it comes to podcasting. Instead, Get used to all of it. they use a mix of facts, fun and a varied group of hockey voices to cover Canada’s most beloved game. As NHL camps continue into their second week and exhibition games in the two hub cities near, we’re now less than two weeks away from real Speaking of scrimmages, we’re seeing a bunch of them occur across the games starting again. After four months off, it’s hard to believe we’re league, but rather than being strictly informal and loose, most are almost back again. And it’s coming fast. attempting to create the kind of strange environment teams will play these Stanley Cup Playoffs in. Here are a few notes and observations on what happened at various NHL camps over the weekend… Referees are often on the ice, though it’s a role filled by a team employee or coach after the Maple Leafs were asked by the league to not bring in MAPLE LEAFS TEST OUT THEIR BIG, BIG LINE outside officials last week.

It’s not as though we’d expect the Maple Leafs to start Game 1 of their In Calgary, Craig Conroy donned the stripes Sunday night. St. Louis had play-in series against Columbus by running out a line of John Tavares, Steve Ott and Marc Savard do the job. Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner, but we were reminded that, when things get tough, coach Sheldon Keefe is willing to turn to that Just as Toronto started a game at noon to match up with a new game combination. time, Calgary’s Sunday night scrimmage began at 8:30 local time, which is one time slot that will be used in the Edmonton hub. Music was The Maple Leafs had another scrimmage at their practice facility Sunday, pumped in and, aside from the jarring look of an empty arena, it had a starting the game at noon to match one of the hub city game times. game-like feel to it. Everything about this is strange, from a training camp in mid-summer, to prepping for August playoff games played at unusual times of the day, so For the Flames, their biggest storyline in training camp so far has been conditioning for this new normal is a goal all coaches across the league Johnny Gaudreau‘s absence from the top line. Injury disclosure rules are trying to accomplish. have clouded exactly what was behind the decision to have Gaudreau skating with a separate group to start camp, but swirling speculation And so, as the Leafs try to replicate a game atmosphere, it was telling forced GM Brad Treliving to defend his star on Friday, and caution that Keefe used his “All-Star Game line,” as Tyson Barrie called it. against guessing what’s going on these days.

If you close your eyes and listen to Matthews talk about it, you might feel “The groupings we have today on the ice are 100 per cent not as though he was discussing a real game, too. conditioning issues or because anyone is in trouble or done anything wrong,” Treliving said. “Quite the contrary. We couldn’t be more happy “We’re pretty familiar with each other,” Matthews said. “We played with the conditioning levels they came to camp in. together sporadically throughout the season on the power play, so obviously they’re two special players and fun guys to play with. I thought “Rumours are part of the business, and we don’t address every one of our first period wasn’t bad, wasn’t great. I thought the second and third them, but it’s gotten to the point where I felt I need to defend my players.” we started to control the puck better and have more time on attack.” On Sunday, Gaudreau was back with his usual linemates Sean Monahan Now part of the reason why the Leafs tried this on the weekend was that and Elias Lindholm. winger Zach Hyman, Matthews’ usual linemate, was deemed unfit to play. Keefe, however, wasn’t overly concerned about Hyman’s status for Of course, this doesn’t mean that speculation won’t linger. There are when real games get going. many who believe that if the Flames disappoint again in these playoffs, and if that top line underwhelms after combining for just five points in last “I’ve used them at different times in a game,” the coach said of the season’s five-game loss to Colorado, that significant change could follow Matthews-Marner-Tavares line. “I suspect it’s something I’d want to go in the off-season. Naturally, Gaudreau’s name is tied to that speculation back to at different times. Here now there’s a chance for us to get them as well. some reps. A particular opportunity arises with Hyman coming out and being unfit to come and play today so we wanted to use that chance to But as important as it is for Calgary’s top line to click right away in a five- mix things up and try some different things.” game series, the Flames are also built with sandpaper and we know come playoff time — when fewer penalties are called and goals occur — In all, Team Matthews beat Team Andersen a combined 11-2 in two that this element takes on greater significance. So in that sense, it was weekend games, including a 5-0 decision on Sunday. Before you start certainly positive to see those in the building note how the line of Milan worrying about what this means for Frederik Andersen, though, Lucic, Sam Bennett and Dillon Dube were standing out. remember that he was facing most of Toronto’s top shooters in these scrimmages. Yes, they’re trying to find some level of normalcy here, but There’s not much time to ramp up the intensity to playoff levels and Andersen will have more overall support when the real puck drops. there’s no telling how the new normal way of preparing and playing games will effect teams and, to a greater degree, individuals. The Flames SIDNEY CROSBY MISSES PRACTICE A SECOND TIME will need their muscle just as much and just in case there’s any lingering doubt about how truly prepared everyone will be, it probably won’t take One benefit to starting up again four months after pausing the season is long to heighten the intensity to playoff levels when the Flames play that most teams will be almost completely healthy. However, most provincial rival Edmonton in their one exhibition game next Tuesday. players have also been off the ice that long and now that they have to That game will also be an 8:30 p.m. local start. come back and ramp up to game speed in such a short time, there is certainly a risk of injury that is higher than normal. “It felt the same a bit, but at same time not the same time at all,” Gaudreau said after Sunday’s scrimmage. So there was at least some concern on Sunday when Pittsburgh Penguins star Sidney Crosby missed another practice. Crosby left SCARY THOUGHT (FOR OPPOSSING TEAMS): HAS MCDAVID Saturday’s scrimmage in the second period, but of course, the league’s GAINED A STEP? Just in case you were wondering if Connor McDavid was at all rusty, here’s Riley Sheahan describing how the Oilers captain has looked at camp: “It almost looked like he’s gained a step during this whole time.”

WILL COLUMBUS GET ANDERSON BACK?

One year removed from a 27-goal season, Columbus’ Josh Anderson struggled to just a single conversion in 2019-20 — a regular season he played just 26 games in largely due to injury.

Anderson underwent shoulder surgery in early March, which was expected to sideline him four-to-six months. That timeline, of course, could put him back in Columbus’ lineup before long. Over the weekend, the team activated him to its 34-man lineup.

When Anderson is healthy, the six-foot-three, 222-pound winger is a force and the kind of goal scoring power forward who can be a matchup nightmare. His is an element the Blue Jackets could sorely use, too. Columbus ranked 27th in goal scoring this season and, playing against a high-powered offence like Toronto, that could become a real problem. But if Anderson can return and provide the kind of impact he did to Columbus’ lineup a year ago, he’ll add a factor that could cause problems for the Leafs.

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TSN.CA / Sheldon Keefe continues to experiment with options around Auston Matthews

Travis Yost

“It’s an all-star game line.”

That was what Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Tyson Barrie had to say about a new-look line introduced by head coach Sheldon Keefe on Sunday. The line, featuring John Tavares and Mitch Marner on the wings of Auston Matthews, features the team’s three most creative offensive players.

Keefe, much like Mike Babcock before him, knows he will have to be strategic when it comes to deploying such a superstar line. Loading talent at the top of the lineup can create a force that teams around the league may not be able to handle, but it comes at the cost of being overwhelmed by the opposition when the other nine forwards are on the ice.

While I don’t foresee Toronto using this line regularly unless they are chasing a game late, I do think it’s interesting that Keefe continues to experiment with options around Matthews. The 22-year-old centre is comfortably the best player in the Maple Leafs lineup and much of their success hinges on what the team can get from their top line.

Ultimately, the question Toronto is trying to answer is this: How do you maximize the production of the Matthews line while also preserving some talent to spread through the rest of the lineup?

Before the season was paused, Toronto was militant about balancing the top six between Matthews and Tavares. The team has a number of winger options to put around them, with Marner, William Nylander, Zach Hyman and Andreas Johnsson the four players most regularly shuffled up and down the lineup.

Which combination worked best with Matthews? Would a superstar line even work as Keefe intends? Let’s look at the data from the 2019-20 season.

A few things jump off the page here, namely that Toronto tends to dominate teams with Matthews on the ice, irrespective of who his wingers are. Part of that is because of how good Matthews is, and part of it is because general manager Kyle Dubas has done a great job in locking in a gamut of talented wingers who are generally interchangeable.

The two regular lines Matthews played on this season were both on the right side of scoring margins, but his work with Marner and Hyman was the best fit. With that trio on the ice, the Maple Leafs outscored their opponents 25 to 18 (+7), and expected goals (20 to 14, +6) were in line. What won’t surprise you is this line – featuring an outstanding playmaker in Marner and an exceptional sniper in Matthews – shot nearly 12 per cent over the course of the season together.

The only line that converted on a higher percentage of chances? A hybrid version of the “all-star game line” coined by Barrie on Sunday – this one featuring Tavares on the wing of Matthews, but with Nylander in the third spot instead of Marner.

The sample size of ice time – just under 40 minutes of play – really isn’t big enough to draw any conclusions from, but it’s not surprising such a talented trio was able to score on 13 per cent of their chances when together.

When the play-in series against Columbus kicks off, I suspect that we will see Keefe do what he has done since taking over in November – letting Matthews run with the likes of Hyman and Marner, and putting the best remaining talent around Tavares on the second line.

But it will be fascinating to see what the coaching staff does if Toronto is trying to equalize late, or if they somehow fall behind in the series early. The Blue Jackets defence is a tough nut to crack, and it may take overpowering their five-man unit with as much offensive firepower as possible to push Toronto through to the second round.

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